Germany anchors WFP lifeline across Middle East and North Africa as crises deepen

Germany remained a central pillar of humanitarian support for the United Nations World Food Programme in the Middle East and North Africa in 2025, sustaining life-saving operations as conflict, economic decline and climate shocks intensified across the region.

At a time when global aid budgets are under strain, Germany’s continued commitment enabled World Food Programme to reach millions facing hunger, displacement and uncertainty. The partnership underlined Germany’s role not only as a donor, but as a strategic ally in stabilising fragile communities.

“Germany’s support underscores the vital importance of humanitarian responsibility in times of global uncertainty,” said Samer Abdeljaber, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. He noted that the partnership allows WFP to stand with people facing violence, economic hardship and climate shocks, adding that Germany’s contributions represent solidarity and hope, not just funding.

Across the region, conditions continued to deteriorate in 2025. Protracted conflicts, mass displacement, rising living costs and increasingly frequent climate extremes placed immense pressure on vulnerable families. Millions were forced to choose between food and other basic needs. Against this backdrop, German funding allowed WFP to deliver both emergency assistance and longer-term programmes aimed at resilience and self-reliance.

Germany provided a total of EUR 158 million to WFP operations in the region during the year. EUR 95 million came from the Federal Foreign Office, supporting life-saving humanitarian assistance in some of the most fragile contexts. In Gaza, WFP continued to assist 1.8 million people dependent on emergency food aid. In Jordan, Syrian refugees received cash-based support to meet essential needs. In Syria, targeted food assistance reached the most vulnerable households, while in Lebanon, families struggling under the weight of a deep economic crisis received vital support.

Germany also sustained its backing for the Grain from Ukraine initiative, under which Ukraine donates wheat while partners cover transport and distribution. An allocation of EUR 8 million enabled Ukrainian wheat to be shipped to Syria, where it was processed into bread in local bakeries, reaching nearly two million people.

Beyond emergency relief, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development contributed EUR 63 million to WFP’s long-term resilience programmes. This funding strengthened social protection systems in Syria, supported school meals in Lebanon, and helped prevent malnutrition in Yemen. It also backed initiatives to protect livelihoods, boost climate resilience and help communities withstand repeated shocks.

In 2025, German funding supported WFP operations across Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. Abdeljaber said Germany’s engagement was making a tangible difference every day for millions across the region, describing the partnership as one rooted in shared values and a commitment to giving people the chance to build a better future.

For Africa, the lessons are clear. Sustained partnerships, predictable financing and a balance between emergency response and long-term resilience are essential in regions facing overlapping crises. As many African countries confront similar pressures from conflict, climate change and economic instability, the model of cooperation seen here highlights what is possible when global solidarity aligns with local needs. Africa’s nations remain young in their development journeys, and with the right support, resilience can take root even in the most difficult conditions.

Germany WFP partnership, WFP Middle East, WFP North Africa, Germany humanitarian aid, food security Middle East, WFP Gaza assistance, Syrian refugees Jordan aid, Lebanon food crisis support, Yemen malnutrition prevention, Grain from Ukraine initiative, humanitarian funding Germany, UN food aid MENA, climate shocks Middle East, conflict and hunger MENA, WFP resilience programmes, social protection Syria, school meals Lebanon, emergency food assistance Gaza, cash-based assistance refugees, Germany Federal Foreign Office aid, BMZ development funding, humanitarian crises Middle East, displacement and hunger, WFP Algeria operations, WFP Egypt programmes, WFP Libya assistance, WFP Palestine aid, WFP Syria response, WFP Yemen response, global aid budgets pressure, humanitarian solidarity Germany, food insecurity conflict zones, climate resilience programmes, livelihoods protection aid, malnutrition prevention programmes, regional food security MENA, humanitarian responsibility Germany, UN partnerships humanitarian aid, Africa development lessons, resilience building humanitarian aid, emergency relief and recovery, sustainable humanitarian funding, refugee assistance programmes, food aid logistics, bread subsidies Syria, humanitarian cooperation model, international solidarity aid, vulnerable communities support, hunger response strategy, crisis response WFP, development and humanitarian nexus, donor partnerships UN, food systems resilience, humanitarian leadership Germany, global food insecurity, conflict affected regions, economic crisis Lebanon, refugee cash transfers, humanitarian values partnership, long term aid impact, Africa humanitarian relevance, youth nations development context, climate and conflict nexus, food assistance programmes, UN humanitarian response