Callous funding cuts will create new crises

The United Nations World Food Programme, the world's largest provider of food aid, has appealed to the United States to reverse its decision to end its funding. The latest contract cancellations target some of the last remaining humanitarian programs run by the US Agency for International Development were unexpected, as Washington had pledged to spare emergency food programs and other life-and-death aid from deep cuts to US foreign assistance.

"This could amount to a death sentence for millions of people facing extreme hunger and starvation," the WFP warned on Monday, adding that it was in contact with the US administration "to urge for continued support" for the programs that keep millions alive in Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and 11 other impoverished countries.

This is not an alarmist comment, as the abrupt end to the WFP programs threatens some of the world's most vulnerable populations, many of which depend on such food aid, according to humanitarian groups. The US has traditionally been the major funder of the WFP, providing $4.5 billion of the $9.8 billion in donations to the food agency last year.