The Trump administration’s move to slash and restructure U.S. foreign aid is severely impacting the global system designed to prevent and respond to famine.
Even before Donald Trump’s return to the White House, developing nations were struggling with food crises. However, the abrupt halt of U.S. aid has further damaged the international famine monitoring and relief system.
On January 20, Trump ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid while his administration reviews all programs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that emergency food assistance would continue, but much of it remains stalled as humanitarian groups await clarity on which programs are allowed to proceed.
Further complicating the crisis is Trump’s decision to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the government’s primary relief provider, leading to the suspension of billions in aid.
Food Stocks in Limbo, Millions at Risk
Around 500,000 metric tons of food worth $340 million is stuck in transit or storage as aid organizations wait for U.S. State Department approval. In addition, cash assistance for food purchases in Sudan and Gaza has been halted, along with funding for community kitchens that feed vulnerable populations.
In Sudan, nearly 30,000 metric tons of food—enough to feed 2 million people for a month—is sitting in warehouses, at risk of spoiling due to the aid freeze.
Global Hunger Monitoring System Crippled
The shutdown of the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has dealt a major blow to global famine prevention efforts.
Established in 1985 following famines in Africa, FEWS NET was funded by USAID to provide early warnings about food crises. It issued regular reports on food security, enabling policymakers and humanitarian organizations to act swiftly. However, after USAID’s shutdown, the FEWS NET website went offline, cutting off access to thousands of critical reports.
Growing Challenges in Addressing World Hunger
Experts warn that the closure of FEWS NET will severely hinder global efforts to fight famine. Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation, likened it to “removing the steering wheel from a car—you no longer know where you’re headed.”
Chris Newton, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, cautioned that “Famine was nearly disappearing in the 2000s, but now it is making a dangerous comeback as the world loses its ability to monitor and respond to it.”
