The Tragic Consequences of US Aid Cuts in Nigeria
The abrupt termination of a US-funded nutrition program in northeastern Nigeria has had devastating consequences for families like Yagana Usman’s. Her infant twin, who was receiving life-saving therapeutic food packets, died just days after the program was halted. This tragic event highlights the critical role that international aid plays in saving lives in regions affected by conflict and extreme poverty.
Usman, a 40-year-old mother of 13 children, has lost six of them to malnutrition and disease while living in the Fulatari camp for internally displaced persons in Borno state. The region has been plagued by violence from the Boko Haram terror group, which has forced thousands of people into displacement camps. The loss of her twin boys is a painful reminder of the fragility of life in such conditions.
The nutrition program that supported Usman’s children was funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Mercy Corps. However, during the Trump administration’s aid freeze, this program was abruptly stopped, leaving many children without access to essential nutritional support. Mercy Corps reported that it had to close 42 programs that could have reached over 3.6 million people in crisis hotspots, including Nigeria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Gaza, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Impact on Children and Families
The impact of these funding cuts has been felt across Africa, with millions of children facing severe acute malnutrition. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), approximately 5.4 million children under five in Nigeria’s northeast and northwest suffer from acute malnutrition, with around 1.8 million facing severe acute malnutrition. Additionally, nearly 787,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are acutely malnourished.
In Dikwa, where Usman resides, the reduction in USAID support has led to the closure of several nutrition clinics, leaving many malnourished children without access to care. A nutrition counsellor in Borno, Hassan Abubakar Bukar, described the situation as heartbreaking, noting that deaths from undernutrition occur almost every month in the region.
Temporary Relief and Ongoing Challenges
Despite the challenges, there have been some efforts to provide temporary relief. The World Food Programme (WFP) has received a $32.5 million donation from the US Embassy in Nigeria, which will help keep operations running until the end of November. However, this funding is not enough to address the long-term needs of the region.
David Stevenson, WFP’s chief in Nigeria, acknowledged the importance of the US contribution but warned that the available resources would only allow for the reopening of several nutrition clinics and limited food assistance to some communities. For families like Usman’s, this means a fragile reprieve from the ongoing crisis.
Mercy Corps has also seen a glimmer of hope, as two of its previously closed health centers reopened after the US-funded project was allowed to continue. However, this relief is temporary, as the funding is set to expire in October.
The Broader Context of US Foreign Aid
The US provides the world’s largest portion of humanitarian aid, spending over $54 billion since 2021, with $3.8 billion allocated to Africa last year. However, foreign aid accounts for less than 1% of the federal budget. Critics argue that the recent cuts to foreign aid threaten decades of progress in reducing global hunger and improving public health.
Margaret Schuler, chief impact officer at World Vision, highlighted the importance of foreign aid, stating that it is a great investment for the US government in terms of global benefits. She noted that programs serving vulnerable populations in countries like Mali, South Sudan, and Kenya were among those cut, despite being considered lifesaving.
A Call for Continued Support
As the Trump administration continues to push for further aid cuts, advocates warn that the consequences could be dire. Melaku Yirga, regional director for Africa at Mercy Corps, emphasized that an abrupt end to US foreign assistance risks reversing decades of progress and forcing families into dangerous coping strategies.
For mothers like Yagana Usman, the stakes are clear. The survival of her remaining child depends on continued access to nutritional support, and the threat of further funding cuts looms large. As the world watches, the question remains: will the international community step up to ensure that no more children die of hunger?
