Uncertainty as the United States Modifies its Emergency Food Assistance Plans in Somalia

Across Somalia, food aid recipients and humanitarian groups were feeling anxious Tuesday. Officials said Wednesday that the Trump administration has reversed significant cuts to emergency food assistance for several countries while continuing to reduce aid in Afghanistan and Yemen, two of the world’s poorest and most conflict-affected countries.

First, as part of a massive cutback in international aid led by billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, the United States had cut financing for projects in more than a dozen nations. Two U.N. officials say the administration informed the World Food Program (WFP) of this change on Tuesday.

After the Associated Press reported on the cuts, a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) official confirmed that Jeremy Lewin, an associate of Musk who oversaw USAID’s restructuring, had ordered the reinstatement of some contract terminations made over the weekend.

Since they were not permitted to speak to the media, these officials asked to remain anonymous. USAID’s decision to cut financing for its emergency food program in 14 countries was communicated to the World Food Program (WFP) on Monday. The number of those financial cuts still in place as of Wednesday was still unknown.

Also Read:

The GCC Summit and Bar Abdelatty’s Unwavering Position on Palestinian Issues

At a Crossroads in Global Healthcare, African Scientists Look for Local Answers