Latest World Food Programme News

UN report warns of famine, aggravated by conflicts and climate shocks

Oct. 31, 2024 16:53 PM EDT

ROME (AP) — Severe food crises threaten hundreds of thousands of people in vulnerable areas, including the Palestinian territories, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali, said a report released Thursday by the United Nations' food agencies. Conflicts, economic instability, and...

Southern Africa is enduring its worst hunger crisis in decades due to El Niño, the UN says

Oct. 15, 2024 23:52 PM EDT

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Months of drought in southern Africa triggered by the El Niño weather phenomenon have had a devastating impact on more than 27 million people and caused the region's worst hunger crisis in decades, the United Nations' food agency said Tuesday. The...

They fled their homes to escape Boko Haram. Now Nigeria is resettling them back despite their fears

Oct. 13, 2024 00:14 AM EDT

DAMASAK, Nigeria (AP) — When Boko Haram launched an insurgency in northeastern Nigeria in 2010, Abdulhameed Salisu packed his bag and fled from his hometown of Damasak in the country's battered Borno state. The 45-year-old father of seven came back with his family early last year....

UN official appeals for Lebanon's ports and airport to be spared as Israel presses its offensive

Oct. 12, 2024 13:49 PM EDT

BEIRUT (AP) — A top United Nations official said during a visit to Beirut Saturday that he is concerned that Lebanon's ports and airport might be taken out of service, with serious implications for getting food supplies into the county, as Israel continues its offensive against the Lebanese...

Humanitarians enlist entertainers and creators to reach impassioned youth during United Nations week

Sep. 29, 2024 08:34 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — A lively discussion broke out backstage during Climate Week NYC between a TikTok comedian, a buzzed-about actress, a Latin cuisine entrepreneur and a cooking content creator. Convened by World Food Program USA to educate the panel's audiences — over 1.8 million...

A U.N.-chartered plane was damaged in an Islamist attack in Mali

Sep. 19, 2024 06:57 AM EDT

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A plane that was used for humanitarian work by the World Food Program was damaged during an Islamist attack in the capital of Mali, according to the South African aviation company that owns the plane. The company, National Airways Corp., said late Wednesday that...

UN food agency intensifies calls for Gaza cease-fire after staff come under fire

Sep. 12, 2024 10:30 AM EDT

ROME (AP) — An Israeli airstrike last month demolished the top floor of a guest house in Gaza where World Food Program international staff were staying, the U.N. agency’s director said Thursday, calling the situation “impossibly dangerous” for aid workers trying to feed the Palestinian...