This American Life 862: Some Things We Don't Do Anymore
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Jun 22, 2025 
Naven Salem, the founder of Edesia, a non-profit producing therapeutic food for malnourished children, discusses the shocking reality of life-saving resources sitting unused in warehouses due to bureaucratic setbacks. He reveals how changes in U.S. foreign aid policy have left many organizations scrambling for support. The conversation also dives into the complexities of nonprofit work amid funding cuts and the profound impact of U.S. aid on healthcare in regions like Eswatini, emphasizing resilience in the face of crisis.
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Malnutrition Aid Stuck in Limbo
- Naven Salem runs a factory producing Plumpy Nut to save malnourished children but experienced shipment freezes due to USAID's shutdown.
- She faced stop orders, broken payment systems, and a lack of government contacts, threatening her business viability.
Early USAID Mixed Outcomes
- USAID was created to aid economic development and counter communism, but most projects were unsuccessful.
- Real success happened in countries like South Korea where reforms were supported by strong government will.
Humanitarian Aid's Complex Impact
- USAID's later focus shifted to humanitarian aid and disease control, achieving successes like smallpox eradication.
- However, aid sometimes sustained corrupt governments and complicated delivery to those in need.