AP Interview: UN food chief says overwhelming needs in crises outstrip donor generosity

UNITED NATIONS – The head of the U.N. food agency says the overwhelming humanitarian needs caused by crises from Syria, Yemen and Iraq to South Sudan and Africa's Sahel region are outstripping the generosity of donors.

Ertharin Cousin said in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press that the World Food Program is not facing "donor fatigue."

In fact, traditional donors have been more generous, she said, but food needs have escalated because of an increasing number of refugees, people caught in conflicts, and suffering from climate-related events including drought.

Last year, she said, WFP needed $8 billion and received $5.4 billion. This year, it also needs $8 billion but donors aren't keeping pace and she predicted the agency will receive less, just close to $5 billion this year.