Trump administration freezes new funding for anti-HIV programme and different well being providers, excepts key meals programmes.
The administration of United States President Donald Trump has introduced a freeze on virtually all new funding for overseas help programmes, with exceptions for allies Israel and Egypt.
The order from the US State Division on Friday additionally contains exceptions for emergency meals programmes, however not well being programmes that supporters say present important, life-saving providers.
In an accompanying memo, newly confirmed Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed senior officers to “be certain that, to the utmost extent permitted by regulation, no new obligations shall be made for overseas help”.
Humanitarian organisations instantly expressed alarm on the directive, voicing fears that it may contribute to international instability and lack of life.
“By suspending overseas growth help, the Trump administration is threatening the lives and futures of communities in disaster, and abandoning the US’ long-held bipartisan strategy to overseas help which helps individuals primarily based on want, no matter politics,” Abby Maxman, head of Oxfam America, mentioned in an announcement.
The short-term freeze is slated to final for a interval of a minimum of three months. Within the first 85 days, Rubio is predicted to make “selections whether or not to proceed, modify, or terminate applications”, in keeping with the memo.
Among the many well being programmes anticipated to expertise a funding freeze is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Reduction, often known as PEPFAR.
Established in 2003 underneath the administration of George W Bush, PEPFAR loved broad bipartisan help for 20 years, till Congress missed a deadline to resume its funding in 2023. Its funding acquired a one-year extension by way of March 2025, however that’s set to run out inside the three-month window.
Specialists estimate that PEPFAR has helped save as many as 25 million lives because it was first began.
Left untouched by the freeze is support for Israel and Egypt, two of the most important recipients of US army help.
Each nations have confronted scrutiny over their human rights data and calls to leverage US support in alternate for substantial reforms.
Friday’s memo made particular point out of waivers for “overseas army financing for Israel and Egypt and administrative bills, together with salaries, essential to administer overseas army financing”.
There was no indication of an identical exemption for Ukraine, which largely depends on US weapons help in its battle to repel a Russian full-scale invasion launched in February 2022.
The US spent greater than $60bn in overseas help in 2023, greater than every other nation general.
However that sum accounts for about 1 % of US authorities spending. Within the aftermath of Friday’s memo, some support tasks around the globe obtained work-stop orders.
“That is lunacy,” mentioned Jeremy Konyndyk, a former official for the US Company for Worldwide Growth (USAID).
He shared with the Reuters information company his outrage. “It will kill individuals. I imply, if carried out as written in that cable … lots of people will die.”
