World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Cindy Hensley McCain has announced that she will step down from her role due to ongoing health challenges.
In a statement dated February 26, 2026, McCain said her health has not recovered enough to allow her to meet the intense demands of the role, describing the move as one of the hardest decisions of her career
After serving since 2023, McCain has overseen life-saving assistance to millions of people in the world’s most vulnerable and conflict-affected regions.
Health Challenges Behind a Difficult Decision
In her announcement, McCain made it clear that her decision was based on medical concerns rather than any professional or personal disagreements.
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“With a heavy heart, I am announcing my intention to step down as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme. Serving this incredible organization has been the honor of a lifetime,” she said.
McCain explained that, despite her desire to complete her term, her health has limited her ability to perform at the required level.
“I had truly hoped I could finish out my term, but my health has not recovered to a level that allows me to fully serve the enormous demands of this job. This is one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make,” she added.
She expressed gratitude to the WFP team, donors, and partners, and highlighted what they have accomplished during her career as an Executive Director.
Cindy notes that she will continue to be a WFP champion and vocal for those struggling with hunger.
“Over the past three years, we have delivered life-saving and life- changing assistance for millions of the world’s most vulnerable people – and this unwavering commitment will be more important than ever in the years to come. To our donors, partners and our global WFP team: thank you for everything you have done and continue to do,” the statement read.
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McCain Roles at WFP
Cindy took office on 5 April 2023 as an Executive Director, with a wealth of expertise and a deep commitment to ending hunger and malnutrition.
Before joining WFP, she served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United States Mission to the United Nations Agencies in Rome.
Some of her Roles included:
- Setting and managing the strategic direction of the World Food Programme in accordance with its core mission and system-wide priorities.
- Fund-raising in the context of an entirely voluntarily-funded organization to ensure that assessed needs are sufficiently resourced so that WFP’s constantly changing requirements are met, and human suffering is spared.
- Ensuring that the cost of management and administration of WFP is at a minimum, consistent with the efficient and cost-effective services, including in the field, transparency, and accountability.
- Making use of the technical capacities of the FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, and other United Nations Specialised Agencies.
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