Nearly 500 tonnes of high-energy biscuits, intended to feed 27,000 malnourished children in Afghanistan and Pakistan, will be incinerated or sent to landfills in the United Arab Emirates, costing U.S. taxpayers an additional $100,000. The food, valued at $793,000 before its expiration in July 2025, has been stored in a Dubai warehouse since the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was shut down on July 1, 2025, following President Donald Trump’s executive order.
These nutrient-dense biscuits were designed to provide emergency nutrition in crisis zones where cooking facilities are scarce. While 622 tonnes of similar aid were distributed to Syria, Bangladesh, and Myanmar in June, the remaining stock expired due to delays in securing approval for distribution. Michael Rigas, deputy secretary of state for management, described the loss as a consequence of USAID’s closure, expressing regret over the waste during a congressional hearing.
The shutdown, announced in January 2025, halted over 60,000 tonnes of food aid worldwide, with the U.S. shifting toward a model prioritizing sustainable growth, as stated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Lawmakers, including Senator Tim Kaine, had raised concerns about the expiring aid as early as March, urging action to prevent waste. The decision has drawn sharp criticism, with humanitarian groups warning that the loss exacerbates food insecurity in regions like Afghanistan and Pakistan, where millions face acute hunger. The World Food Programme estimates 319 million people globally lack adequate food access, with 1.9 million on the brink of famine, particularly in Gaza and Sudan.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 18th, 2025
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