The Trump administration announced a $93 million food aid initiative targeting child malnutrition in Haiti and 12 African nations. Nearly one million children are set to receive ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) produced by American manufacturers, with distribution handled by UNICEF through June.
The State Department confirmed that the program will provide large-scale emergency nutrition to some of the most vulnerable populations in the world. The $93 million will be used to purchase and distribute RUTF, a peanut-based paste fortified with vitamins and minerals, which is considered the most effective treatment for severe acute malnutrition. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott emphasized that this effort reflects the administration’s commitment to humanitarian relief and stability in regions facing both food shortages and political unrest. By sourcing the product from American manufacturers, the initiative also ensures that U.S. agricultural and food production sectors benefit from the expenditure, reinforcing the domestic economy while serving a global need.
The list of recipient nations includes Haiti, Mali, Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Madagascar, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, and Chad. These countries were chosen based on the severity of their malnutrition crises, compounded by conflict, drought, and instability. In Haiti, the program aligns with other U.S. efforts to stabilize the country, even as the administration maintains stricter immigration policies, such as visa revocations and deportations for those entering the U.S. illegally. The Africa-focused aid also reflects an ongoing push to address root causes of migration by improving conditions in nations where poverty and insecurity drive people to leave.
