Food in warehouses for millions at risk of being destroyed due to U.S. Aid cut

Food supplies capable of feeding 3.5 million people for a month are deteriorating in U.S.-funded warehouses across the globe, as a result of sweeping foreign aid cuts enacted by the Trump administration, according to five individuals familiar with the matter.

The food, stored in four U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) warehouses in Djibouti, South Africa, Dubai, and Houston, has remained unused since the administration’s January decision to slash global aid programs. Sources include three former USAID officials and two representatives from other humanitarian organizations.

Some of the food—set to expire as soon as July—may be incinerated, converted to animal feed, or discarded altogether, two sources confirmed.

The warehouses, managed by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), contain between 60,000 and 66,000 metric tons of food commodities—including high-energy biscuits, vegetable oil, and fortified grains—procured from American producers. According to an inventory document reviewed by Reuters, the stockpiles are valued at more than $98 million.

Based on calculations using World Food Programme (WFP) data, these supplies could feed over a million people for three months, or the entire population of Gaza for roughly six weeks. The WFP estimates that one ton of basic food can meet the daily needs of about 1,660 people.

The aid suspension comes amid surging global hunger, fueled by conflict and climate change. According to the WFP, 343 million people are currently facing acute food insecurity, including 1.9 million on the brink of famine—many in Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali.

A State Department spokesperson acknowledged the issue, stating efforts are underway to maintain aid distribution and transfer remaining supplies before the July expiration. “USAID is continuously consulting with partners on how best to allocate commodities at our pre-positioning warehouses for emergency use,” the spokesperson said.

Food Likely to Be Wasted

Although some humanitarian programs, such as those in Gaza and Sudan, have received waivers, the widespread termination of contracts and funding freezes have disrupted shipping and logistics, immobilizing food stocks.

A plan to transfer supplies to aid organizations remains stalled, pending approval from the State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance. That office is led by 28-year-old Jeremy Lewin, a former operative with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who is overseeing USAID’s decommissioning.

Neither Lewin nor DOGE responded to requests for comment.

One former USAID official revealed that nearly 500 tons of high-energy biscuits stored in Dubai—enough to feed at least 27,000 malnourished children for a month—are likely to expire in July and be discarded.

The official added that under normal operations, only about 20 tons of food are lost annually to spoilage or shipping issues. Much of the now-stranded food was initially intended for Gaza and famine-hit Sudan.

The State Department did not specify how much food is close to expiration or whether any will be destroyed.

USAID is planning to lay off nearly all remaining staff in two waves, scheduled for July 1 and September 2, as part of its planned shutdown. Two former officials warn this will strip away essential personnel needed to manage food logistics.

Impact Already Visible

The United States remains the world’s largest donor of humanitarian aid, accounting for at least 38% of global contributions. In 2024, the U.S. disbursed $61 billion in foreign assistance, more than half through USAID.

Much of this includes ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), such as high-energy biscuits and Plumpy’Nut, a peanut-based paste used to treat malnourished children.

Navyn Salem, founder of U.S.-based RUTF manufacturer Edesia, said USAID’s halted contracts forced her to rent additional warehouse space to store 5,000 tons of surplus product—valued at $13 million—which could treat nearly 500,000 children.

She said she remains “hopeful” after communication with Lewin that a solution can be found.

Meanwhile, UNICEF warned in March that shortages of RUTF in 17 countries—due to U.S. aid disruptions—could leave 2.4 million children without critical nutritional treatment for the rest of the year.

Jeanette Bailey of the International Rescue Committee, which depends heavily on U.S. funding, said programs are already being scaled back. She warned that children who lose access to treatment in stabilization centers face a mortality rate of over 60%.

The non-profit Action Against Hunger said U.S. funding cuts have already contributed to the deaths of at least six children in its programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it was forced to stop admitting new patients.

Bureau in Turmoil

Sources said the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance has been thrown into disarray by the aid cuts. Staff were placed on administrative leave ahead of expected terminations, and the agency has struggled to resume operations even temporarily.

Contracts to maintain some warehouse facilities, including in Durban, South Africa, were reportedly canceled. Although Reuters could not independently verify this, sources say operations at the Djibouti and Dubai sites are expected to transfer to a yet-to-be-established State Department team.

The WFP declined to comment directly on the food stranded in the warehouses but said it “greatly appreciates” U.S. support and will continue advocating for those in urgent need.