The US government has reversed new cuts in emergency food aid for several countries, including Somalia, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Ecuador. However, funding will continue to be suspended for Afghanistan and Yemen, two of the world’s poorest nations.
According to the State Department, the decision was made after intense lobbying from senior UN officials and comes amid a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce foreign aid spending. The cuts were originally implemented over the weekend, causing widespread concern about the impact on millions of refugees and vulnerable people.
Despite these reversals, US aid to Afghanistan remains unchanged. The country is facing its own humanitarian crisis, with over half of its population – around 23 million people – requiring assistance due to decades of conflict and poverty. The cuts affect around $560 million in humanitarian aid, including emergency food assistance, medical care, and mental health treatment.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned that the cuts could lead to widespread hunger and malnutrition in both Afghanistan and Yemen. In Yemen, 2.4 million people rely on WFP-assisted food programs, while 100,000 children are at risk of losing nutritional care.
Critics argue that the US aid cuts will have devastating consequences for already vulnerable populations. The International Rescue Committee said nearly 1 million people will be affected by the cuts, including tens of thousands of children and families who rely on their services.
The Trump administration’s efforts to reduce foreign aid spending come as thousands of local staff employed by USAID missions overseas are being laid off or given severance notices. The decision is part of a broader effort to consolidate US humanitarian programs under the State Department.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-usaid-emergency-food-aid-afghanistan-yemen-e896d35304448f5aef939db89904a24e