World HUNGER Funds Have Mysteriously Gone Dark…
(TruthandLiberty.com) – As the Russian war against Ukraine takes its toll, the devastation impacts more than just Ukrainians. Russia has cut off much-needed grains sitting in silos in the war-torn country. The resulting shortages could spark a mass hunger crisis in the Middle East, Africa, and other regions. On Wednesday, May 11, David Beasley, executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP), informed the Senate Appropriations Committee the agency needed $5 billion to help countries losing their food supplies.
Congress responded by authorizing $40 billion in emergency aid, of which Congress appropriated $5 billion for global food relief. Lawmakers specifically ensured that $4.35 billion could be used immediately through wire transfers. Still, bipartisan frustration is growing because the Biden administration has done little to deliver the global food aid Congress moved quickly to pass.
USAID and the Biden administration have yet to send any of the billions of dollars for food aid Congress approved more than a month ago https://t.co/ZqBnVlgzTP
— POLITICO (@politico) June 26, 2022
Over a month later, the administration hasn’t yet sent the funds. Lawmakers and their staff say they can’t get a reason from the White House for the delay. As Congress begins working on the 2023 fiscal budget, which starts on October 1, Republicans question why any global aid programs should receive funding if the government isn’t using the money as intended. Even Democrats are expressing deep concerns.
The administration says the bureaucratic process and logistical issues are complex and time-consuming. Still, many senators say they believed the government would transfer the disaster funds to the UNWFP, which doesn’t appear to be the case. Countries might not see any relief until the fall.
Copyright 2022, TruthandLiberty.com
