Trump’s aid freeze shuts down ‘gold standard’ famine-monitoring system Without Fews Net, recognised as ‘a vital life-saving tool’ for preventing food crises, people will die, experts warn.
Dave Harden oversaw Fews Net as an assistant administrator in 2016, and credits the system with preventing a famine in Ethiopia that year by giving enough warning of drought to stockpile food.
The system for monitoring global food crises appears to have been suspended after President Donald Trump’s executive order froze US foreign aid.
“Without Fews Net,” he added, “global humanitarian responders will be flying blind, with less advance warning of where famine could strike.”.
Trump’s executive order, one of many signed after his inauguration as president on 20 January, halted all US aid funding for 90 days while reviews were carried out.
