The United States has announced a $93 million emergency food assistance program for 13 nations, including 12 in Africa, to combat severe hunger and malnutrition. The US Department of State said the program will supply ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for nearly one million children.
The aid package consists of 1,209 metric tons of existing RUTF stock and funding to produce an additional 11,285 metric tons.
The beneficiary countries are Haiti, Mali, Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, and Chad.
During a recent press briefing, Tommy Pigott, the principal deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State, said the aid will also cover essential food commodities, targeted nutritional support, and emergency logistics.
“Today marks the first 200 days of the Trump Administration, and with it 200 days of delivering results and real wins for the American people. Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rubio, the United States is restoring strength, securing prosperity, and standing up for American interests on the world stage,” Pigott said.
“The United States is providing an additional $93 million to treat nearly 1 million children suffering from malnutrition with lifesaving, ready-to-use therapeutic food – RUTF – from and by American producers. This critical funding will help save lives in 13 countries … drawing down the entire prepositioned stock of RUTF and supporting continued production to meet ongoing needs.”
This announcement comes a month after the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was closed as part of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting reforms. This decision was widely criticized by former US leaders and global health experts.
USAID was founded in 1961 by the late President John Kennedy and served as the lead agency for US humanitarian and development aid in over 100 countries. However, Trump had been vocal in his criticism of the USAID’s mission, arguing that its funding should be used for domestic priorities instead.