The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Shejal Pulivarti:

On May 22, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman met with International Rescue Committee (IRC) CEO David Miliband to discuss the alarming levels of malnutrition, including among children globally. Deputy Administrator Coleman emphasized USAID’s ongoing commitment to finding cost-effective interventions in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity and wasting. She also commended IRC’s active leadership and continued efforts to alleviate food insecurity concerns across the world.

On Gaza, Deputy Administrator Coleman reiterated USAID’s efforts to press the government of Israel on the rapid implementation of its stated commitments to address humanitarian needs, protect aid workers, and improve deconfliction. Deputy Administrator Coleman and CEO Miliband also discussed continued efforts to improve humanitarian access and the need for all land routes to be open and operating at full capacity to surge aid into Gaza, particularly given the urgent need to mitigate the threat of famine.

On Sudan, Deputy Administrator Coleman raised her concern about the risk of famine in parts of Sudan, which is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. She highlighted that access constraints and bureaucratic obstruction continue to prevent urgently needed humanitarian assistance from reaching nearly five million people suffering from extreme hunger in Sudan. Deputy Administrator Coleman and CEO Miliband discussed humanitarian priorities in Sudan to mitigate further suffering.