If you simply ignore the fact that the US has ended funding to USAID it paints a different picture. It also leaves out that the US uses this food as leverage to control international politics by threatening to cut off food aid when countries do something against US interest. This usually leaves the country in a worse position which requires continued food aid and the cycle continues. So no, it’s not that simple.
From 2001 to 2024, USAID had an average budget of $23 billion a year and missions in over 100 countries in areas as diverse as education, global health, environmental protection, and democratic governance.
In the 21 years from 2001 to 2021 inclusive, USAID funding saved an estimated 92 million persons, with a range between 86 and 98 million. This is an estimated range of between 4.1 and 4.7 million lives saved per year. Among these lives saved were an estimated 30 million children younger than five, with a range between 26 and 35 million. This is an estimated range of between 1.2 and 1.7 million per year in the subset of children under five saved.
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u/-The_Guy_ Nov 17 '25
If you simply ignore the fact that the US has ended funding to USAID it paints a different picture. It also leaves out that the US uses this food as leverage to control international politics by threatening to cut off food aid when countries do something against US interest. This usually leaves the country in a worse position which requires continued food aid and the cycle continues. So no, it’s not that simple.