MONROVIA – Nearly 25,000 schoolchildren in Liberia are set to lose access to daily meals following sweeping U.S. government aid cuts that have disrupted Mercy Corps’ school feeding program. The abrupt termination of foreign assistance has placed thousands of vulnerable children at risk of hunger and school dropouts, as food supplies in 146 schools across Liberia begin to spoil.
The cuts, affecting nearly 10,000 aid programs worldwide, stem from the U.S. government’s decision to end numerous foreign assistance grants and contracts. The move has left millions without access to food, clean water, and medical support. Among the hardest-hit organizations is Mercy Corps, which has been running vital school feeding initiatives in Liberia.
Mercy Corps’ Feeding Program in Jeopardy
Mercy Corps’ Incentivize Learning Activity (ILA), launched in November 2024, was designed to improve school enrollment and attendance by providing daily nutritious meals to students. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the five-year program aimed to reach 50,000 children in Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Montserrado, Margibi, and Grand Bassa counties.
By sourcing food from local farmers and involving community members, the initiative not only provided essential nutrition to students but also stimulated the local economy. Schools experienced increased attendance as parents sent their children to class, knowing they would receive at least one meal a day.
However, with the sudden cessation of U.S. funding, Mercy Corps is struggling to keep the program afloat. With no immediate alternative support, thousands of children now face the prospect of hunger, and many may be forced to drop out of school.
Across Liberia, food supplies are already spoiling as the distribution infrastructure collapses. Educators and parents report that students are leaving school early due to hunger, while some have stopped attending altogether.
Mercy Corps CEO Blasts Aid Cuts
Mercy Corps has strongly condemned the aid cuts, warning of severe long-term repercussions. Chief Executive Officer Tjada D’Oyen McKenna urged the U.S. government to reconsider its decision, emphasizing the devastating consequences for vulnerable communities.
“The U.S. government’s decision to end thousands of aid programs will have catastrophic effects on people in desperate need of food, clean water, and shelter in places like Sudan, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It will also halt programs that prevent youth radicalization by violent extremist groups in West Africa and end assistance for Venezuelan refugees in Colombia,” McKenna stated.
“These programs not only saved lives but also prevented conflict, fostered stability, and helped communities rebuild after crises. Ending them so abruptly will be destabilizing and erode trust in the communities that depended on them.”
Global Impact of U.S. Aid Cuts
The ripple effects of the cuts extend far beyond Liberia:
- In Nigeria, over 174,000 people will lose access to clean water, food assistance, and specialized nutrition support.
- In Kenya, more than 600,000 people will no longer receive lifesaving food aid.
- In Colombia, over 11,500 Venezuelan refugees will lose crucial cash assistance.
A Looming Crisis for Liberia’s Future
Liberia, already grappling with economic challenges, faces a dire future if school feeding programs vanish. Increased hunger and malnutrition among children could drive school dropout rates even higher, jeopardizing the country’s progress in education and human development.
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