US suspends food aid to Ethiopia amid theft accusations

An Ethiopian woman scoops up portions of wheat to be allocated to each waiting family after it was distributed by the Relief Society of Tigray in Agula, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, May 8, 2021. [AP Photo]

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the suspension in a statement Thursday.

"After a country-wide review," it said, "USAID determined, in coordination with the Government of Ethiopia, that a widespread and coordinated campaign is diverting food assistance. We cannot move forward with distribution of food assistance until reforms are in place."