The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is on the verge of suspending critical aid to 650,000 malnourished women and children in Ethiopia. This suspension is due to a severe lack of funding and dwindling supplies. The agency has warned that they are at a "breaking point."
Approximately 3.6 million vulnerable individuals in Ethiopia are at risk of losing essential food and nutrition assistance. The WFP requires $222 million by September to sustain operations. This funding is crucial to reach the target of assisting 7.2 million people this year.
Malnutrition rates are alarmingly high in Ethiopia, particularly in the Somali, Oromia, Afar, and Tigray regions. Child wasting has exceeded the 15 percent emergency threshold. The WFP had planned to support two million mothers and children with nutrition assistance in 2025 but has faced significant budget cuts.