Overview

• President Trump’s administration has ordered the incineration of almost 500 tons of emergency nutrition bars stored in Dubai, citing expiration.
• The rations, purchased under the Biden administration for about $800,000, will cost taxpayers an extra $130,000 to destroy.
• The food was earmarked to feed children under five in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but distribution is on hold until State Department leadership approves aid movements.
• Appeals by Senator Tim Kaine and former USAID staff to release the supplies were unsuccessful, though 600 tons were spared after warnings about wasted taxpayer funds.
• International bodies including UNAIDS have warned that U.S. aid cuts could cause over six million new HIV infections and 4.2 million AIDS deaths, and lawsuits are challenging the agency’s dissolution.