West and central Africa face hunger crisis amid violence and budget cuts

West and Central Africa: Millions face starvation as violence and budget cuts deepen hunger crisis

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has raised the alarm: 55 million people in West and Central Africa are at risk of extreme hunger this summer, including 13 million children under five whose lives hang in the balance.

This humanitarian catastrophe is being driven by two converging forces: rising violence and drastic budget reductions to critical aid programs. The WFP estimates that $453 million is urgently needed over the next six months to prevent a complete collapse of food assistance across the region.

escalating food insecurity across the region

Analysts warn that three million people will face emergency-level food insecurity (IPC Phase 4) in 2026—a figure that has more than doubled since 2020. Four countries bear the brunt of this crisis:

Nigeria: 15,000 people in Borno State face catastrophic famine (IPC Phase 5)—the first such threat in nearly a decade.
Chad: Severe funding gaps have slashed food rations, pushing malnutrition rates to critical levels.
Cameroon: Over 500,000 vulnerable people risk losing life-saving aid without immediate funding.
Niger: Conflict and economic instability have pushed 77% of the region’s food insecurity burden, with communities struggling to access basic necessities.

Sarah Longford, WFP’s Deputy Regional Director for West and Central Africa, warns: “The funding cuts in 2025 have intensified hunger and malnutrition, leaving young people with dwindling hope. Without urgent action, more families will be forced into despair.”

Nigeria and Mali: children pay the highest price

In Nigeria, reduced funding in 2025 forced the WFP to cut nutritional programs for 300,000 children. Malnutrition has escalated from “severe” to “critical” in northern states, with only 72,000 people expected to receive aid in February 2026—down from 1.3 million the previous year.

In Mali, a 64% spike in acute hunger has been recorded in regions where food rations were cut, while areas with full rations saw a 34% reduction in famine cases. Continuous insecurity disrupts supply chains, leaving 1.5 million Malians vulnerable to food crises.

Jean Martin Bauer, WFP’s Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis, stresses the urgency: “When we talk about IPC Phase 5, it means an immediate risk of mortality. People are dying of starvation. We must ensure aid reaches those most vulnerable—especially children.”

breaking the cycle of hunger: solutions exist

The WFP has implemented proven strategies to combat food insecurity, including:

Resilience programs: Over 300,000 hectares of degraded land have been restored since 2018, benefiting four million people by protecting against climate shocks.
School feeding initiatives: Providing meals to children in crisis zones to prevent malnutrition and support education.
Community infrastructure: Building local resilience through projects like water access and agricultural training.
Social protection systems: Strengthening government-led programs to support the most vulnerable.

“Solutions exist, but they lack funding,” Bauer emphasizes. “We need a paradigm shift in 2026—governments and partners must invest in preparedness, early action, and resilience to break this cycle of hunger for future generations.”

The WFP’s call to action is clear: immediate funding is critical to prevent further deterioration. Without it, millions more will be pushed to the brink, risking not only lives but also the stability of entire communities.