State Department approves $50 million in Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food funding
The U.S. State Department and Secretary Marco Rubio have pushed back against claims that contracts providing Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) have been halted, affirming that the agency will continue its commitment to delivering critical humanitarian aid. A senior State Department official stated that as USAID transitions under the State Department, the commitment to delivering critical humanitarian aid remains steadfast and aligned with America’s foreign policy priorities. The State Department is proud to continue working with local partners to deliver life-saving ready-to-use therapeutic food, with an additional $50 million in RUTFs recently approved to nourish over one million of the world’s most vulnerable children.
RUTFs are pre-packaged, nutrient-rich, ready-to-eat meals that help prevent malnutrition, particularly in children. The State Department’s reassurances come after Secretary Rubio faced questions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill in a May hearing, where Democratic Rep. Gabe Amo accused the agency of intentionally freezing RUTF aid to countries in need. Rubio defended the agency’s commitment to food aid, stating that the U.S. will continue to provide more food aid than any other country on the planet.
Key partnerships with non-profit RUTF producers, MANA and Edesia, have been active since March 2, with 1.4 million boxes of RUTFs approved on May 26. An internal document obtained by Fox News Digital revealed urgent approval to move food commodities and RUTFs stored in warehouses for shipment and distribution. The document also called for approval of a new Title II award valued at $35 million to cover various costs associated with the distribution of RUTFs.
MANA CEO Mark Moore shared insights into the challenges faced during federal contract negotiations as USAID merged into the State Department. Moore expressed relief that new contracts were proposed in May, preventing potential closure of operations. Despite reaching out to Rep. Gabe Amo and Edesia for comment, Fox News Digital did not receive a response.
In conclusion, the State Department remains committed to providing critical humanitarian aid through the distribution of RUTFs, ensuring the nourishment of vulnerable populations around the world. The agency’s efforts to streamline operations and continue partnerships with non-profit organizations demonstrate a dedication to addressing global malnutrition and food insecurity.
