The United States government has allocated USD 300 million in emergency funding to maintain a crucial food assistance programme during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Programme for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will continue operations using these funds, ensuring nutritional support for vulnerable populations. The programme serves low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and young children across the country.
The United States Department of Agriculture authorised the funding as states had begun warning about potential service disruptions. Several states reported having only weeks of funding remaining before the emergency allocation was approved.
The WIC programme provides specific nutritious foods, nutrition education, and healthcare referrals to approximately 6.7 million participants monthly. States had been using carryover funds and contingency measures to maintain services since the shutdown began.
Department officials described the funding as a temporary measure to ensure programme continuity while Congress continues negotiations to end the government shutdown. The allocation represents a stopgap solution rather than permanent funding.
Nutrition advocates welcomed the emergency funding but cautioned that more comprehensive support would be needed if the political standoff continues. The programme has historically enjoyed bipartisan support, though its funding has become entangled in broader government spending debates.
The current shutdown has affected numerous federal services, with essential programmes like WIC receiving priority attention. The emergency funding will prevent states from having to create waiting lists or reduce services for programme participants.
The WIC programme operates through state health departments and tribal organisations, providing vouchers for specific foods, nutrition counselling, and screening referrals to other health services. |
