World Food Programme projects three million people to face crisis.

The UN agency made the projection in a post on its official Facebook page on April 16. WFP said nearly 600,000 people in Cameroon are expected to stop receiving food assistance by September.

It said the shortage is as a result of funding shortfalls which has force the World Food Programme to scale back operations at a time when hunger is on the rise and malnutrition remains high, particularly in conflict-affected regions.

“Across the country, nearly three million people are projected to face crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity during the June to August 2026 lean season, up from 2.6 million during the same period in 2025,” WFP said. 

The organisation added that nearly one in three children under five is stunted, reflecting persistently high levels of chronic malnutrition.

“With limited funding, Programme Alimentaire Mondial, has been compelled to reduce its reach and scale of assistance. In 2026, the organization is targeting 591,000 people, representing a 38 percent reduction from the originally planned caseload of 950,000. Food rations have also been reduced by half in an effort to stretch available resources,” WFP noted.

The constraints, WFP said, is already affecting vulnerable refugees, internally displaced people and host communities. 

“Many of whom rely on World Food Programme support to meet their basic food and nutrition needs,” it detailed. 

WFP also added that without additional funding, the situation risks reversing gains made in food security, nutrition and resilience with potential wider implications such as worsening malnutrition, migration, and early marriages for the girl children.

“WFP requires 40 million US Dollars to sustain food and nutrition assistance in Cameroon through September,” WFP stated.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3766 of Monday April 20, 2026