UN Food Agency Shuts Southern Africa Hub Amid Trump Aid Cuts

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the closure of its southern Africa regional office in Johannesburg, citing constrained donor funding, primarily from the United States. This decision comes amidst the Trump administration's sweeping cuts to foreign aid, which have significantly impacted the WFP's ability to provide food assistance to vulnerable populations in the region.

The WFP's southern Africa office was responsible for coordinating food assistance programs in the region, including responses to the severe drought that affected countries such as Lesotho, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in 2024. The closure of this office may lead to delays in decision-making, reduced efficiency in program implementation, and potential gaps in coverage for vulnerable populations.

To maintain food assistance in the region, the WFP is implementing alternative strategies, such as consolidating its southern and East Africa operations into one regional office in Nairobi, Kenya. This consolidation aims to "stretch every dollar and target maximum resources to our frontline teams" (Phiri, in Reuters, 2025). However, it remains to be seen whether this consolidation will be sufficient to address the challenges posed by the closure of the southern Africa office and the ongoing food crises in the region.

In addition to the WFP's internal adjustments, the agency is also seeking alternative funding sources to compensate for the loss of U.S. aid. The WFP has called for $147 million in donations to help those in need in southern Africa, even before President Trump started cutting U.S. foreign aid (AP, 2025). The agency is also exploring other funding opportunities to ensure the continuation of its food assistance programs in the region.

The Trump administration's aid cuts, particularly to the World Food Programme, could have significant long-term economic and social consequences on southern Africa, especially in terms of food security and poverty reduction. The WFP's food assistance accounts for an average of nearly half what people spend on food, and the loss of this assistance will exacerbate food insecurity, especially for the most vulnerable populations. With reduced funding, the WFP may not be able to meet the growing demand for food aid, leading to increased hunger and malnutrition.

In conclusion, the closure of the WFP's southern Africa office may pose challenges to the agency's ability to respond to food crises in the region. However, the WFP is implementing alternative strategies, such as consolidating operations and seeking alternative funding sources, to maintain food assistance for vulnerable populations. The success of these strategies will depend on the agency's ability to adapt to the changing funding landscape and the ongoing needs of the affected populations. The Trump administration's aid cuts could have severe long-term economic and social consequences on southern Africa, including increased hunger, poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. These impacts could hinder the region's progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and could take decades to reverse.