Trump administration backtracks after ending lifesaving UN food aid for 14 countries

The Trump administration has u-turned after they were warned their cuts would lead to millions of people facing 'extreme hunger and starvation.

When it comes to Trump putting America first, we know it's always at the forefront of his mind.

But his administration took that slogan to a whole new level, after announcing that the US would no longer be providing lifesaving food aid for 14 countries around the world.

The UN World Food Program aims to help keep millions of people alive every year, many struggling with conflict.

Civilians from countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and 11 other countries are provided with aid under the program, but the US announced earlier this week that they were withdrawing their funding.

The Trump administration has made a decision that will affect millions in poverty (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

It is the largest provider of food aid in the world, and US cuts would send millions into poverty, according to the organisation.

In a social media post on Monday, The World Food Program made a plea to the Trump administration to re-think their harsh cuts.

Taking to X, they wrote: "WFP is deeply concerned by recent notifications from the US administration indicating that funding for emergency food assistance in 14 countries has been terminated."

Expanding on the very real implications this could have for so many people across the world, some the most vulnerable in society, they added: "If implemented, this could amount to a death sentence for millions of people facing extreme hunger and starvation.

The World Food Program are begging his administration to re-think their harsh cuts (Abed Rahim Khatib/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Image)

"We are in contact with the Trump administration to seek clarification and to urge for continued support for these life-saving programmes."

WFP chief Cindy McCain explained that the cuts 'undermine global stability'.

She said: "Continued cuts to WFP’s emergency operations will deepen hunger, fuel instability, and make the world far less safe. We urge world leaders to weigh the consequences."

The WFP appeared to get through to the US government, with CNN reporting that funding has been restored for Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Ecuador and Somalia.

A state department spokesperson told the publication that 'while they have been reinstated, the State Department and USAID intend to work with WFP to modify awards in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Ecuador, and Somalia to better align with Administration priorities'.

Meanwhile State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a meeting: "There were a few programs that were cut in other countries that were not meant to be cut, that have been rolled back and put into place."

She added that the US has not 'backed away from our commitments to providing lifesaving food aid'.