Monitoring Desk
President Donald Trump’s executive order on January 20, 2025, initiating a 90-day suspension of U.S. foreign development assistance, has led to significant disruptions in humanitarian programs worldwide.
This pause, intended for a comprehensive review of aid alignment with the “America First” policy, has left many life-saving initiatives in limbo.
In Ghana and Kenya, essential supplies like insecticides and mosquito nets remain undistributed due to halted U.S.-funded anti-malaria campaigns. In Haiti, organizations treating HIV patients are awaiting U.S. authorization to dispense crucial medications that prevent mother-to-child transmission. Similarly, in Myanmar, a country heavily reliant on U.S. aid, the suspension has led to widespread confusion and halted food distribution programs.
Although Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced waivers for “life-saving humanitarian assistance,” including essential medicines, food, and shelter, aid workers report significant challenges in determining which programs qualify. A lack of clear communication from U.S. officials has exacerbated the situation, leading many organizations to suspend operations to avoid potential non-reimbursement.
The freeze has also impacted health clinics in vulnerable regions of Syria, forcing closures and leaving thousands without essential healthcare services. Dr. Muhammad Fares of Médecins du Monde highlighted the dire consequences, noting that around 35,000 people are now deprived of critical medical care.
Globally, the suspension has thrown numerous projects into uncertainty, affecting initiatives aimed at climate change, health, and education, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The halt is part of a broader move by the administration to overhaul USAID, significantly cutting funds and altering operations.
Despite some exemptions for emergency food and life-saving programs, many essential services remain unfunded, escalating the crisis. Aid groups argue that the abrupt cessation undermines efforts to provide critical care, leaving thousands of vulnerable individuals in dire situations.
The executive order has faced criticism from various quarters, including the United Nations and human rights organizations, who argue that the suspension endangers lives and undermines global humanitarian efforts.
As the 90-day review progresses, aid organizations and the populations they serve remain in a state of uncertainty, hoping for a resolution that will allow the resumption of essential humanitarian work.
