US freezes foreign aid funding amid Trump’s policy review

US State Department halts new funding for nearly all US aid programs

The US State Department has announced a freeze on new funding for almost all foreign assistance programs, with exceptions made for humanitarian food aid and military assistance to Ukraine,  Israel, and Egypt. The sweeping directive aims to enforce President Donald Trump’s commitment to eliminate aid programs deemed not in the US interest.

Impact on global aid programs

The order, communicated to US embassies worldwide via cable and obtained by The Associated Press, halts new government spending on aid projects. Existing programs can continue only as long as they have available funds.

The sweeping order appears to affect everything from development assistance to military aid — including Ukraine, which received billions of dollars in weapons under Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden as it tries to repel a Russian invasion.

This freeze affects numerous initiatives globally, including those focused on health, education, development, and job training. The United States, as the largest provider of foreign aid, funds countless such programs, many of which may now face an abrupt end.

Humanitarian officials expressed concern, particularly over the lack of exemptions for health clinics and global health programs, which were not spared from the funding freeze.

Immediate fallout

Some leading aid organizations are interpreting the order as a stop-work directive for US-funded aid projects worldwide. A senior official from an aid organization, speaking anonymously, indicated that many operations might cease immediately to avoid incurring additional costs.

Purpose of the freeze

The State Department explained that the freeze aims to ensure that appropriations are effective, unduplicated, and aligned with President Trump’s foreign policy objectives.

The freeze is part of a broader review of US foreign aid programs:

• One-month timeline: Standards for the review will be established to evaluate which programs align with Trump’s agenda.
• Three-month timeline: The government-wide review will culminate in a report for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will provide recommendations to the president.

Disappointment among aid organizations

Humanitarian officials expressed frustration over the scope of the freeze, particularly the exclusion of health-related exemptions. The abrupt halt to funding threatens countless global projects aimed at improving lives in vulnerable regions.

Next steps

The review process will determine the future of US foreign assistance programs, with an emphasis on aligning them with Trump’s policy priorities. Meanwhile, the freeze has already disrupted aid efforts worldwide, creating uncertainty for millions who rely on US support.

For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.

The post US freezes foreign aid funding amid Trump’s policy review appeared first on PGurus.