In a surprising twist, the U.S. is set to destroy nearly 500 metric tons of taxpayer-funded emergency food – high-energy, nutrient-packed biscuits meant for people in crisis. These provisions, stored for months in a Dubai warehouse, have passed their expiration date, leaving many to wonder: How did this happen? 😮
A State Department spokesperson explained that the stocks were purchased as a contingency measure beyond projections during the Biden administration. With the food no longer fit for use before its expiry, the biscuits now face a fate of incineration or disposal in the United Arab Emirates, adding an extra cost of $100,000.
Before the current management, USAID carefully monitored expiration dates and, when possible, redirected supplies to those in need. As one former official put it, "This is the definition of waste," highlighting what many see as a missed opportunity to help communities facing severe hardships.
The UN World Food Program has stressed that such emergency food is crucial in crisis conditions, especially in areas lacking proper cooking facilities. As the issue raises important questions on resource management and accountability, the story continues to unfold – leaving us all to ask how future emergency aid can better serve those who need it most. 🤔
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U.S. set to destroy 500 tonnes of taxpayer-funded emergency food
cgtn.com
