President Trump's administration temporarily halts aid to the world
The administration of US President Donald Trump has suspended almost all aid to foreigners for three months, while US authorities are verifying which of these aids fit into the president's "America First" policy. Humanitarian organizations and human rights activists warn that the decision will endanger countless lives around the world.
The United States has allocated almost $70 billion in foreign aid through fiscal year 2023, most of it through the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID. Washington provides most of the world's humanitarian aid, including treatment for HIV patients through the presidential PEPFAR program, VOA reports.
Former USAID director Samantha Power says in an agency video that USAID, among other things, has responded to 84 crises in 66 countries, helping tens of millions of people.
President Donald Trump blocked most of this aid in an effort to verify whether it fits his “America First” policy. The presidential order temporarily halts the aid for 90 days while a review is conducted.
The White House offered a similar explanation for the temporary halt to federal grants and loans on Tuesday. White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt did not specify which domestic programs were being halted.
"Over the past four years, we have seen the Biden administration spend money irresponsibly. We have not faced an inflation crisis in this country without reason. It is the duty of this administration to ensure that every penny spent is accounted for," Ms. Leavitt said.
The White House did not respond to VOA's request to provide more details on which international programs will be affected by the decision.
Humanitarian organizations have raised alarm bells over the freeze on foreign aid, including for gender equality, business development and, crucially, a program that provides drugs for HIV patients. Biden administration officials have described it as a “key pillar” of Washington’s ties with developing countries.
"The Secretary-General is concerned about the temporary suspension of foreign assistance by the United States. He calls for additional exemptions from the list of prohibited programs to continue development and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities around the world. Their lives depend on this support," said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the United Nations.
USAID's largest project for fiscal year 2023 was non-military assistance to Ukraine worth $14 billion. Humanitarian organizations say they welcome the review of U.S. taxpayer funding, but not its withholding, while the review takes place.
"If you want to review all aid, do it. Provide full clarity on what you're asking for, but don't stop life-saving aid while you do the review," says Nicole Widdersheim of Human Rights Watch.
Analysts have also expressed concern about the immediate impact of the decision.
"Our real concern is about the immediate impact of stopping foreign aid. We must not forget that this aid also includes humanitarian projects, such as distributing vaccines, for example, to children around the world so that they do not become infected with infectious diseases," Esther Brimmer of the Council on Foreign Relations tells VOA.
When it comes to global public health issues, President Trump's stance is clear. The new American president pulled the United States out of the World Health Organization, citing concerns that the country had an unfair financial burden as the organization's largest donor.
