Trump Aid Cuts Halt Food Rations for One Million Ugandan Refugees

Significant cuts to US humanitarian aid under President Donald Trump's administration have critically impacted global food assistance programs, particularly in Uganda, which hosts Africa's largest refugee population. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced it had to cut food rations completely for one million refugees due to a $50 million funding shortfall, leading to fears of starvation and forced returns to conflict zones. Uganda's Minister for Refugees blamed US aid restrictions and reductions in European contributions for the crisis, highlighting malnutrition rates exceeding 15% in refugee camps and severe ration cuts of up to 80%. These cuts stem from USAID program suspensions, which account for a substantial portion of US foreign aid, causing a major upheaval in humanitarian operations worldwide. Additionally, the dismantling of USAID has led to the offline status of the Famine Early Warning System (FEWS), removing a critical tool for predicting and preventing famines across multiple continents. Overall, these funding reductions have thrust the humanitarian sector into an existential crisis, forcing difficult decisions about who receives life-saving aid amid escalating global conflicts and emergencies.