U.S. Resumes Food Donations to World Food Programme After Suspension

[Georgealbert]

 

A World Food Program's flag flutters on the roof of WFP's headquaters after the WFP won the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, in Rome, Italy October 9, 2020. REUTERS/Remo Casilli/File Photo 

 

The United States has lifted its pause on food donations to the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP), allowing the resumption of crucial aid deliveries that had been left in limbo for weeks.

 

The suspension had halted the shipment of 500,000 metric tons of food, leaving millions of dollars’ worth of assistance stranded at sea or in storage. The WFP confirmed the reversal in a statement on social media, saying: “We can confirm that the recent pause concerning in-kind food assistance to WFP, purchased from U.S. farmers with Title II funds, has been rescinded. This allows for the resumption of food purchases and deliveries under existing USAID agreements.”

 

The suspension stemmed from U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to pause all foreign aid for 90 days while reviewing its alignment with his administration’s “America First” foreign policy. Despite a waiver issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to allow emergency food assistance to continue, the U.S. government still instructed the WFP to stop work on dozens of American-funded grants.

 

The move disrupted the Food for Peace Title II programme, a $2 billion initiative that forms the backbone of U.S. international food aid, jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

 

The sudden halt in funding affected food aid operations in several of the world’s most vulnerable regions, including Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Haiti, and Mali.

 

Humanitarian organisations criticised the suspension, warning that the uncertainty put $489 million worth of food assistance at risk. Many aid groups were left scrambling to decide whether to continue their programmes without any financial guarantees from Washington.

 

A U.S. State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the situation.

 

Aid officials have voiced frustration at what they describe as a lack of clarity surrounding the Trump administration’s foreign aid review. Many organisations were left uncertain whether their programmes fell under the waiver or whether they risked financial losses by continuing operations.

 

Despite the resumption of food donations, experts warn that the pause has already disrupted supply chains and delayed deliveries, potentially worsening food insecurity in conflict zones and impoverished nations.

 

While the immediate crisis may have been averted, the long-term future of U.S. foreign aid remains uncertain as the administration continues its review of international assistance policies.

 

Based on a article from Reuters 11.02.2025.

 

-- 2025-02-12

 

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