The Trump administration has enacted a sweeping freeze on U.S. foreign aid as part of its “America First” policy, directing USAID staff to align with President Trump’s vision or face disciplinary action. A memo sent to over 10,000 USAID employees emphasized a “complete halt” to aid spending, except for emergency food assistance, until a comprehensive review is completed.
The freeze, ordered Friday, suspends billions of dollars in aid worldwide, leaving humanitarian groups and donors scrambling. The U.S., the largest global donor, provided $72 billion in aid in 2023, accounting for 42% of global humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024. The memo, reviewed by Reuters, outlined strict approval processes for any exceptions, requiring detailed justifications and sign-offs from USAID leadership and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The halt has caused concern among aid organizations, especially in countries like Sudan, where 24.6 million people urgently need food assistance. In 2024, the U.S. supplied 45% of the aid recorded by the U.N. for Sudan. Humanitarian groups warn that the freeze could devastate life-saving services beyond emergency food aid.
“Hunger doesn’t just mean an empty stomach—it weakens the immune system, making people more vulnerable to illness and death,” said Deepmala Mahla, CARE’s chief humanitarian officer.
The memo also restricts external communication, banning discussions outside USAID, including with the State Department, unless explicitly approved. Contractors were instructed to suspend or amend existing projects immediately.
“This isn’t just about funding—it’s about the survival of the most vulnerable in conflict zones,” Mahla added.
With the U.S. playing a critical role in global aid, the policy has left uncertainties over how humanitarian operations in crisis-stricken regions will be affected. For now, aid groups brace for potentially devastating consequences.
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