The World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a US$25 million commitment from Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization, to support global efforts to reduce hunger and transform lives through a 5-year partnership with World Food Program USA. The first US$5 million, already authorized, will immediately support WFP's rapidly scaling operations in Gaza following the ceasefire, providing critical hot meals and other essential, lifesaving resources.
This announcement coincides with a visit to WFP's headquarters in Rome, where Ahmed Shehata, CEO of Islamic Relief USA, and Barron Segar, President and CEO of World Food Program USA, met with WFP leadership to recognize and discuss this urgent work and transformative partnership.
"IRUSA is proud to be partnering with World Food Program USA in the fight against hunger. By combining our expertise and resources, IRUSA and World Food Program USA will undoubtedly achieve concrete impact toward strengthening food security and developing sustainable solutions to the global hunger crisis. Our strategic partnership not only reflects our shared humanitarian values, but also underscores our duty to respond to the rapidly growing challenges faced by vulnerable populations due to conflicts, natural disasters, and difficult economic conditions. Together, we have the opportunity to promote peace and stability by eliminating chronic hunger," said Ahmed Shehata, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Relief USA.
Prior to the ceasefire, more than half a million people in Gaza were facing famine-like conditions, according to an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released in late August 2025. Despite challenges with access and security, WFP has continued to bring food assistance into Gaza, and is currently engaging in a rapid scale-up in delivery following the ceasefire. This will involve a restoration of the regular food distribution network, expanding the number of bakeries supported, and further increasing the level of nutritional support for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
With more than 60 years of experience operating in some of the world's most complex environments, including active war and conflict zones, WFP is able to rapidly procure, transport, and deliver life-saving food assistance to anyone, anywhere -wherever it is needed most.
"We are at a critical impasse as a global community. Every day, more than 343 million people survive life-threatening levels of hunger, driven by armed conflict and climate emergencies. We must act with the urgency and scale necessary to meet the challenge before us," said Barron Segar, president and CEO of World Food Program USA. "We are proud to partner with Islamic Relief USA to reaffirm a shared belief that through bold action and strategic partnerships, we can make a world without hunger a reality."
For more than a decade, Islamic Relief USA has partnered with World Food Program USA and the WFP to support disaster response efforts in Syria, Gaza, and Libya. At a time when many governments around the world have reduced their funding for humanitarian aid, partnerships like this one are critical to ensure frontline workers can reach those most in need. Today's announcement reaffirms a shared commitment to addressing hunger and building greater community resilience worldwide, as well as a shared conviction about the power of global partnerships that join the faith, philanthropic, and humanitarian communities.
