Amo Speaks About Lifesaving Efforts of Rhode Island Producer of Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods
Rhode Island-based Edesia Nutrition is slated to receive federal funding from United States Agency for International Development to support their mission to address global malnutrition.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today in a House Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia Subcommittee hearing titled “Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request for Near Eastern Affairs,” Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) spoke about the need to support malnourished children with Ready-To-Use-Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) like those made by Edesia Nutrition, a Rhode-Island based non-profit organization that manufacturers lifesaving treatments for acute malnutrition around the world. Additionally, Congressman Amo spoke about the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to allow this humanitarian aid to flow to Palestinian civilians while also releasing the hostages held by Hamas.
“Earlier this month, the United States Agency for International Development announced greater federal funding for Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods, a lifesaving treatment for children who are facing acute malnutrition,” said Congressman Amo. “One of only two domestic producers of Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods is the Rhode Island based nonprofit, Edesia Nutrition, which stands ready and able to offer this critical assistance to vulnerable civilians in Gaza.”
At Edesia Nutrition, our mission is to ensure that every child, no matter where they live, has access to life-saving nutrition,” said Caroline Ogonowski, Director of Communications at Edesia Nutrition. “We are ready to immediately send RUTF to any region where there are children facing severe malnutrition. Deaths and suffering from malnutrition are completely preventable, and we are committed to our strong partnership with the U.S. government, to get life-saving food where it’s needed.”
Video of full hearing exchange HERE.
BACKGROUND
On April 29, 2024, the Congressman Amo joined the Rhode Island congressional delegation and Senator Warnock in sending a letter to USAID Administrator Samantha Power advocating for the allocation of additional resources to address the detrimental impacts of severe malnutrition in Gaza. The letter urged USAID to work with other U.S. agencies and international partners to expedite the delivery of these products to those who desperately need them. On May 3, 2024, Administrator Samantha Power announced that USAID is committing $200 million in Fiscal Year 2024 base Title II Food for Peace funds to maximize the procurement and distribution of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and other specialized nutritious foods to prevent and treat acute malnutrition. Additionally, the recently-enacted national security supplemental appropriations bill includes significant new funding for USAID's global humanitarian assistance programs, which will enable future commitments by USAID to tackle child wasting.
Edesia Nutrition is a non-profit organization based in North Kingstown, RI working to end malnutrition in children around the world. They produce the first-ever RUTF Plumpy’Nut, a nutrient-packed food paste filled with milk powder, peanuts, vegetable oil, sugar, vitamins, and minerals with a 92% success rate for curing severe acute malnutrition in as little as eight weeks. In 2023 alone, the company was able to reach over 4.9 million children through the assistance of their partner organizations, like USAID, UNICEF, and the World Food Program. Sourcing over 85 million pounds of U.S. raw materials annually, Edesia is also proud to support U.S. farmers.
FULL HEARING REMARKS AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Assistant Secretary Leaf and Ms. Pryor, for being here today.
As we continue to witness the devastation in Gaza and increased instability across the region, it is clear that we need an immediate and lasting ceasefire that surges humanitarian aid into Gaza and releases the hostages that continue to be held by Hamas.
As my colleague, Ms. Manning just stated, we must be prepared for the day after.
A long-term plan is essential for Israelis and Palestinians alike to have security and self-determination and I pray, personally, that it is a plan where the tragic events on and following October 7th are never repeated.
This Committee, the State Department, and USAID will play an important role in the ceasefire negotiations and the long-term path to peace.
Assistant Secretary Leaf, I just want to hear briefly about how you and leaders at the State Department have elevated the humanitarian imperatives as you’ve engaged in negotiations and your thinking as it relates to the day after.
On the point of surging humanitarian aid, a topic that I am concerned with, earlier this month USAID announced greater federal funding for Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods, a lifesaving treatment for children facing acute malnutrition.
One of only two domestic producers of Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods is the Rhode Island based nonprofit, Edesia Nutrition, which stands ready and able to offer this critical assistance to vulnerable civilians in Gaza.
Ms. Pryor, how are these Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods getting into Gaza to help children facing malnutrition? At present, is USAID able to effectively provide humanitarian aid, including these therapeutic foods, to civilians in Gaza?
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