The US State Department has ordered a freeze on new funding for nearly all American foreign development assistance following an executive order issued by Donald Trump.
Hours after taking office on Monday, the US president announced 90 days on US-funded global projects to await a review of their efficiency and ensure they are consistent with his foreign policy. ordered a temporary suspension.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ruled out funding for emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt. But it is still unclear whether that will affect the flow of vital US military aid to Ukraine to help fend off Russian aggression.
Joe Biden’s administration ramped up military aid to Ukraine before he took office due to doubts about whether Trump would continue funding Kiev.
Some $3.855 billion (3 billion pounds) of funding for future arms shipments to Ukraine – remains approved by the US Congress, but it is unclear whether Mr Trump will decide to spend it .
The US provides more foreign aid than any other country in the world, budgeting around $600bn (£48bn), or 1% of the US budget, in 2023.
The exemption from the emergency food program follows a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as humanitarian aid aid surges into the Gaza Strip amid famine in war-torn Sudan.
However, the order has been criticized by humanitarian officials because it does not exclude life-saving health programs such as clinics and immunization programs.
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Abby Maxman, head of Oxfam America, warned that funding cuts for children and families around the world “could be a matter of life or death.”
“By suspending foreign development assistance, the Trump administration threatens the lives and futures of communities in crisis and renews America’s longstanding overreach in foreign aid that supports people based on need, regardless of politics.” “We are abandoning a partisan approach,” she added.
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Rubio’s order, delivered by cable to U.S. embassies around the world, said: “The pause is necessary to ensure that the expropriation is not replicated, is effective, and is consistent with President Trump’s foreign policy.” He said that.
World cables are expected to set standards for a review of all foreign aid to ensure it is “consistent with President Trump’s foreign policy agenda” within the next month.
The government-wide review is expected to be completed within three months, and a report will be prepared for Rubio to make recommendations to Trump.
The outcome could have a major impact on U.S. foreign aid flows and impact around the world.