The dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has caused a disruption in the global supply chain for a critical therapeutic food, putting the lives of tens of thousands of malnour, children at risk. This crisis has left many vulnerable communities, particularly in conflict zones and impoverished areas, without access to the necessary nutrition to survive.
Kaltum Mohammad, a mother in the Gubio internally displaced persons camp in Maiduguri, Nigeria, is living this reality. Her daughter, Fatima, is among the children who depend on the therapeutic food that has now become scarce due to the aid cuts. The lack of supplies has created a dire situation, with healthcare workers warning of a growing number of cases of severe acute malnutrition.
Experts point to the reduction in funding as the primary cause of this supply chain breakdown. The U.S. government’s decision to cut funds for international aid programs has had a cascading effect on global health initiatives, leaving many children without essential care. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and economic instability in many regions, which further strain already limited resources.