Trump administration USAID “chaos” hits American manufacturer of product that saves babies’ lives
When Navyn Salem received a letter Wednesday ending a federal government contract with her Rhode Island company Edesia, she stopped production lines, which provided a life-saving paste for severely malnourished babies.
A day later, she received an email with just a few words, revoking the termination of the contract.
The reversal failed to reassure her.
“This is what we look like everyday. The government is in a state of chaos,” Salem said. “What we see is that our contract was terminated 24 hours ago and (termination) was cancelled ten minutes ago.”
Photos provided by Navyn Salem
Weeks since Elon MuskPresident Trump and advisers of the world’s wealthiest people are starting to target US State Department US Agency for International Development To close, disruption of supply chains and services for various global life-saving causes has shaken.
While Salem’s contract remains active, for most of Wednesday, she said Excavated from the United States Agency for International Development – Almost all employees are suddenly on leave or completely fired) causing more and more chaos. Most urgently, she said, is that the payment system she relies on operated by the United States Agency for International Development “has been shut down for weeks.”
Photos provided by Navyn Salem
This created unparalleled uncertainty, spreading from the business of her 150 employees to her U.S. suppliers (farmers in 25 states) and the U.S. ocean liner she used to transport hundreds of tons of Edsia’s plump Nut’nut Therapepic Past, and finally, assigned it to international organizations that distribute it to children.
“Everyone is worried during a chaotic period of trouble. Everyone is worried,” Salem said.
Photos provided by Navyn Salem
Busty Nath Classified as ready-made therapeutic food to treat severe acute malnutrition at six months old. According to the World Health Organization’s guidelines, this is a peanut-based paste that includes vitamins, minerals and F-100 milk powder. Edesia says it produces 800 tons of plump jam and other foods used to treat malnutrition every week.
Salem ultimately believes that her company’s goal of protecting children is aligned with Trump administration priorities. “We strongly believe that our mission will be protected and that these funds will be there, but I cannot assure anyone.”
Salem said she agreed that USAID could operate more effectively and that she had ideas for years of work with the agency. Whether she wants to come up with a solution or just trying to process the payment, she faces the same dilemma.
“Who should I call?” she asked. “I’ve been giving advice for years and it’s time to hear someone hear the phone.”
A State Department spokesman said Thursday it has ended more than 90% of U.S. Agency for International Development contracts, retaining only those that believe make the United States stronger, safer, and more prosperous. The agency’s cuts are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to drastically shrink the federal workforce and budget.
Every pack of plump fruit produced by Edesia is embroidered with the phrase “American’s “from Americans.” Salem said the message to the desperate parents and caregivers of malnourished children is a vital part of her company’s mission.
“They will never forget that it was the American people who served them during the greatest crisis,” Salem said.
She and other U.S.A.-related organizations told CBS News that if the U.S. retreats from around the world and it supports critical health care, another global superpower will step in.
“It’s a very strong soft power to deliver food, and it’s the professional food they need the most,” Salem said.
