In brief
The U.S. Famine Early Warning System Network (Fewsnet), vital for early famine detection, is suspended as part of a far-reaching freeze on foreign aid services ordered by President Trump. Experts warn that this shutdown could severely hinder international responses to looming food crises.
The Famine Early Warning System Network (Fewsnet), a vital resource for forecasting global famine, has been temporarily shut down due to a sweeping freeze on U.S. foreign assistance directed by former President Donald Trump. This 90-day halt affects nearly all foreign aid initiatives, leaving officials alarmed about the potential ramifications for food security worldwide.Established in the wake of the catastrophic 1984 Ethiopian famine, Fewsnet relies on a combination of weather data and political analysis to predict areas at risk for drought and food shortages. The system, designed by U.S. government agencies including USAID and NASA, has been recognized as an essential tool for planning humanitarian aid and has played a significant role in mitigating crises, such as the severe drought in the Horn of Africa in 2016.As part of the recent freeze, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a complete "stop-work" order on foreign assistance programs, which amount to nearly $70 billion annually. Emergency food aid and military support for allied nations like Israel and Egypt remain exceptions but have not yet encompassed the important famine-tracking functions of Fewsnet.Dave Harden, who previously oversaw Fewsnet's operations during critical food emergencies, stressed the network's importance, noting that it enabled preemptive actions to distribute food and supplies effectively. Despite new waivers that Secretary Rubio has announced for certain life-saving initiatives, uncertainty abounds within the global aid sector regarding the status of crucial support systems.The Fewsnet operation is contracted through USAID, but the agency has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the implications of the freeze on its functionality. Former senior USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk emphasized the global impact of Fewsnet, labeling it the "single best resource" for predicting food insecurity. He noted its previous success in forewarning about looming famines, such as the one in Somalia back in 2011.As the Trump administration's foreign aid policies continue to evolve away from previously inclusive programs, concerns are mounting that critical famine monitoring resources might fall victim to these restrictions, ultimately placing vulnerable populations at greater risk.
