The United States (US) has listed Nigeria among the nations it announced would benefit from a $93 million emergency food assistance programme for 13 nations, including 12 in Africa, to tackle worsening hunger and malnutrition.
The US department of state stated that the programme will provide ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for nearly one million children suffering from severe malnutrition.
The department said the package comprises 1,209 metric tons of existing stock and funds to produce an additional 11,285 metric tons.
According to the US government, some of the benefiting countries include Haiti, Mali, Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, and Chad.
Speaking at a press briefing, Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the US state department, said the aid will also cover essential food commodities, targeted nutritional support, and emergency logistics.
“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,” Pigott said.
“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 disclosure is.coming a month after the closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Trump administration’s cost-cutting reforms — a move that drew criticism from former US leaders and global health experts.
