Pause Risks Disrupting Billions in Life-Saving Assistance
The US has issued a broad freeze on foreign aid, ordering a review of aid distribution to ensure alignment with President Donald Trump’s foreign policy. This decision halts existing assistance programs and pauses new aid, risking disruption of billions in aid, including critical health, education, and civil society projects.
The United States is the largest global aid donor, disbursing $72 billion in assistance in 2023. Despite this freeze, some countries, such as Egypt, have been granted waivers for military financing. However, critics argue that the pause will have severe humanitarian consequences, especially in war-torn regions and refugee camps, with essential services like health, nutrition, and emergency aid at risk of halting.
The freeze could undermine US influence as international partners may turn to other funding sources to fill the gap, potentially from US competitors or adversaries.
