A recent report has revealed that almost $500 million worth of food aid is in jeopardy of spoiling as it remains stranded in ports, ships, and warehouses following a funding freeze imposed by the Trump administration on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The situation has raised significant concerns about the safeguarding and distribution of approximately $8.2 billion in unspent humanitarian aid.
According to the USAID inspector general’s report dated February 10, the funding pause has resulted in nearly all USAID staff being placed on administrative leave, leading to disruptions in food shipments intended for vulnerable populations in need. This pause threatens the livelihoods of U.S. farmers who typically supply about 40% of international food assistance through USAID’s purchasing programs.
Currently, $489 million worth of food is at risk of spoilage due to unforeseen storage needs and delays in distribution. An additional 500,000 metric tons of food remains on vessels or is prepared for shipment abroad. USAID typically sources essential commodities, including wheat, soybeans, and sorghum, directly from U.S. farmers.
Local food redistributors, like Spoonfuls in Massachusetts, are sounding the alarm on the potential waste. Ashley Stanley, the organization’s CEO, emphasized the devastating effects of food waste, stating, “When the food doesn’t get to where it needs to go, it winds up in a landfill.”
The U.S. State Department, which oversees USAID, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this critical situation. The funding pause is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration and allies like billionaire Elon Musk to downsize federal operations. Musk has called for the shutdown of USAID, labeling it “beyond repair.”
As a result of the funding freeze, the Norwegian Refugee Council, a leading humanitarian organization, has warned that it may need to suspend operations that assist hundreds of thousands of individuals across 20 different countries. The organization’s statement highlighted the profound implications for vulnerable populations, particularly in regions such as Burkina Faso and Sudan.
The future of USAID remains uncertain as discussions surrounding its funding continue, posing further risks to global humanitarian efforts.
Source: CBS News
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