The United States has announced a $93 million emergency food assistance package targeting 13 countries, including 12 in Africa, to combat worsening hunger and malnutrition.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to the US Department of State, the initiative will supply ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to nearly one million children suffering from severe malnutrition.
The support package includes 1,209 metric tons of existing RUTF stock and funds to produce an additional 11,285 metric tons.
Benefiting nations include Nigeria, Haiti, Mali, Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Madagascar, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, and Chad.
Speaking at a press briefing, Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, said, “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.”
“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.”
The announcement comes a month after the closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under cost-cutting reforms by the Trump administration.
