The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Sunday that refugees in East and West Africa faced smaller food rations due to a surge in demand and insufficient funding, AFP reported.

Three-quarters of refugees in East Africa supported by the United Nations' programme have seen their rations reduced by up to 50 percent, WFP said, with those in Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda the worst affected. 

"We are being forced to make the heartbreaking decision to cut food rations for refugees who rely on us for their survival," said WFP executive director David Beasley. 

Available resources could not keep up with the soaring demand for food around the globe, he said.

On Tuesday, the WFP appealed for $426 million to stave off famine in South Sudan, where years of conflict and floods have forced millions of people from their homes. 

In addition, the war in Ukraine has significantly worsened the global refugee crisis and the risk of famine, not only creating six million additional refugees as civilians flee conflict zones, but in pushing up commodity prices, especially grain.