More than 60,000 metric tons of U.S. food aid, intended for vulnerable populations worldwide, have been held in warehouses across the United States and internationally, a direct consequence of the Trump administration's significant restructuring of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This extensive backlog includes high-energy biscuits, peas, oil, and cereal, with some consignments facing expiration and potential destruction. The situation has raised alarm among humanitarian organizations and lawmakers regarding the impact on global food security.
The Trump administration initiated a drastic overhaul of USAID upon taking office, aiming to reduce foreign aid spending and align programs with an "America First" agenda. This involved substantial budget cuts, the dismissal of thousands of employees, and a shift of oversight from an independent agency to the Department of State. Critics argue these changes created severe logistical bottlenecks and operational inefficiencies in the aid delivery pipeline.
Reports indicate that food aid is stalled in various locations, including Dubai, Djibouti, Houston, Georgia, and Rhode Island. For instance, nearly 500 metric tons of high-energy biscuits, originally procured towards the end of the Biden administration, were set to expire in July 2025 while stored in a Dubai warehouse. The cost of purchasing these biscuits was approximately $800,000, with an additional estimated $130,000 required for their destruction.
Humanitarian groups have expressed deep concern over the delays, emphasizing the critical need for timely aid in regions facing food insecurity and malnutrition, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, and Gaza. The Independent reported that food aid groups partnering with USAID have witnessed cases of food going to waste due to the disrupted coordination.
In response to recent media reports, USAID, now operating under the Department of State, issued a statement on July 1, 2025, acknowledging that a quantity of food aid has reached or is nearing its expiration. The agency attributed this to "unprecedented logistical challenges and disruptions in global supply chains, exacerbated by the rapid transition of the agency's operational structure under the previous administration." USAID stated it is actively working to mitigate further losses and expedite the distribution of remaining aid, including accelerating partnerships with organizations like the World Food Program (WFP).