12 African nations selected for U.S. $93 million emergency food assistance program
SOLOMON EKANEM
08 August 2025 04:24 PM
The United States has announced a $93 million emergency food assistance program for thirteen nations, including twelve in Africa, where conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability have pushed millions into acute food insecurity.
The United States announced a $93 million emergency food assistance package aimed at supporting twelve African nations.
The package includes 1,209 metric tons of existing stock and funds production of additional 11,285 metric tons of therapeutic food.
The funding will support lifesaving nutritional aid, including the production of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for malnourished children.
According to a U.S. State Department press briefing held on August 7, 2025, the funding is part of Washington’s broader humanitarian commitment to Africa and is expected to support millions of vulnerable households suffering from worsening hunger conditions by providing food assistance program
“The United States is providing an additional $93 million to treat nearly one million children suffering from malnutrition with lifesaving, ready-to-use therapeutic food—RUTF—produced by American manufacturers,” the statement said.
According to Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State, the entire prepositioned stock of RUTF amounts to 1,209 metric tons. However, the funding will also facilitate the production of an additional 11,285 metric tons to meet escalating needs.
The assistance package includes essential food commodities, targeted nutritional support for severely malnourished children, and emergency logistical aid.
This intervention comes amid the formal shutdown of USAID, once the world’s largest aid agency
This intervention comes amid the formal shutdown of USAID, once the world’s largest aid agency
Benefitting countries
This latest tranche of U.S. emergency food assistance comes amid worsening humanitarian conditions across much of sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
According to the recent State Department update, the $93 million package will support life-saving interventions in 13 countries which include Haiti, Mali, Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, and Chad.
The funds will be used to distribute the remaining prepositioned stock of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and to support continued production to meet urgent nutritional needs.
This intervention arrives at a critical time, following the formal shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – once the world’s largest aid agency under the Trump administration’s cost-cutting reforms.
The closure marked a significant shift in the global development landscape and has drawn concern from both former U.S. presidents and international health experts.
While the new funding is expected to generate diplomatic goodwill ahead of major global development summits, analysts caution that one-off injections are insufficient.
Without long-term investments in climate-smart agriculture, resilient food systems, and rural infrastructure, many of the targeted countries risk recurring dependence on emergency support.
Still, if effectively deployed, this package could provide vital short-term relief and reaffirm America’s strategic role in responding to Africa’s deepening food insecurity crisis.
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