The Trump administration has announced a freeze on almost all new funding for foreign assistance programmes, except for key food programmes and aid for Israel and Egypt. This directive, issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has raised concerns among humanitarian organizations who fear that it could lead to global instability and loss of life. Among the health programmes affected by the freeze is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved millions of lives since its inception in 2003.
The freeze, set to last for at least three months, comes as the US spent over $60 billion in foreign assistance in 2023. Despite accounting for only about 1 percent of government spending, the freeze has already resulted in work-stop orders for some aid projects, prompting criticism from former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk who warned that people could die as a result.
The exemptions for aid to Israel and Egypt, two of the largest recipients of US military assistance, have drawn attention to the US administration’s priorities in foreign assistance. Meanwhile, there is concern over the lack of a similar exemption for Ukraine, which is currently relying on US weapons assistance in its fight against Russia.
As organisations like Oxfam America voice their concerns over the freeze, the State Department plans to make decisions within the three-month window on whether to continue, modify, or terminate programmes. The impact of this freeze on global health and stability remains to be seen as the humanitarian community continues to oppose the administration’s directive.
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