Humanitarian aid cuts push millions deeper into hunger amid rising violence and population displacement in West and Central Africa

January 17, 2026

UN News Service

DAKAR, Senegal -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns that without urgent resources and action, the most vulnerable people in West and Central Africa are headed for yet another dire year. A staggering 55 million people in the region are expected to endure crisis levels of hunger, or worse, during the June-August 2026 lean season. Over 13 million children are also expected to suffer from malnutrition in 2026.

© WFP/Arete/Damilola Onafuwa

Bags of grains are distributed by WFP in Mafa, in Borno State, Nigeria.