LONDON: Aid efforts funded by the United States to tackle diseases such as malaria, prevent newborn deaths, and treat severe malnutrition should resume, according to a memo reviewed by Reuters.
Upon taking office last month, President Trump moved to freeze international aid after a 90-day review. A week later, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a waiver clarifying that “lifesaving” efforts were exempt during this period, but organizations on the ground remained confused over what was included.
The memo aims to clarify what can now restart.
“These lifesaving activities must resume or continue in the next 30 days of the 90-day pause on foreign assistance to prevent imminent mortality among USAID beneficiaries,” the memo states.
It includes activities addressing tuberculosis, malaria, acute risks of maternal and child mortality, including severe acute malnutrition, and other life-threatening diseases and health conditions.
It also states that efforts to combat disease outbreaks, such as mpox, avian flu, and Ebola, should restart, along with global health supply chain activities.
USAID did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The memo is dated February 4 and was cleared by email on February 6. One aid group said they received it on Friday.
However, two sources said it was still unclear what could restart and with what funding, especially given the hollowing out of USAID both in Washington and globally.
Martin Edlund, CEO of Washington-based nonprofit Malaria No More, stated that the memo was an important step toward resuming programs.
“Even short-term interruptions of malaria prevention and treatment lead to outbreaks and deaths,” he said. However, he added that “start-work” orders would need to be issued to all programs to begin indoor spraying, net distribution, testing, and treatment for malaria.
A separate clarifying memo, dated February 6, also attempted to give more details on a waiver issued last week for the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). It outlines that the care, treatment, and prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission “should be resumed as soon as possible.”
