The United States government has listed Nigeria and 12 other nations among the beneficiaries of its $93 million emergency food assistance programme set aside to address worsening hunger and malnutrition.

Speaking recently at a press briefing, the principal deputy spokesperson for the US state department, Tommy Pigott, 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.

According to the US Department of State, the programme is expected to provide ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for nearly one million children suffering from severe malnutrition.
Other benefiting countries are Haiti, Mali, Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, and Chad.

According to the department, the package includes 1,209 metric tons of existing stock and funds to produce an additional 11,285 metric tons.

The announcement comes 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.