
Gage Skidmore
United States has declared a halt on nearly all new funding for foreign aid programs, allowing exceptions only for allies Israel and Egypt. The US State Department’s order issued on Friday also permits funding for emergency food initiatives, but excludes health programs that advocates argue are essential for saving lives
n a recent memo, newly appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed senior officials to “ensure that, to the maximum extent permitted by law, no new obligations shall be made for foreign assistance.”
This directive has raised immediate concerns among humanitarian organizations, who fear it may lead to increased global instability and loss of life. Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, stated, “By halting foreign development assistance, the Trump administration jeopardizes the lives and futures of vulnerable communities and moves away from the United States’ longstanding bipartisan commitment to aid based on need, irrespective of political considerations.”
The temporary freeze is set to last for a minimum of three months. During the first 85 days, Rubio is anticipated to decide whether to continue, adjust, or end programs, as stated in the memo.
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, is among the health initiatives anticipated to undergo a funding freeze.
Launched in 2003 during George W. Bush’s presidency, PEPFAR received extensive bipartisan backing for twenty years, but Congress failed to renew its funding in 2023. Although its funding was extended for one year until March 2025, this extension is approaching its expiration in just three months.
Experts believe that PEPFAR has contributed to saving approximately 25 million lives since its inception. Aid for Israel and Egypt, two of the top recipients of U.S. military support, remains unaffected by the funding freeze.
Both nations have come under examination regarding their human rights practices, with demands to condition US assistance on meaningful reforms.
The memo issued on Friday specifically highlighted waivers related to “foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt, as well as administrative costs, including salaries, essential for managing foreign military financing.”
There was no mention of a comparable exemption for Ukraine, which predominantly depends on US military support in its efforts to counter the full-scale invasion by Russia that began in February 2022.
Approximately 1 percent of the total expenditure of the US government is represented by that amount. Following the release of Friday’s memorandum, several aid initiatives globally were issued work-stop orders.
“This is madness,” remarked Jeremy Konyndyk, a former official with the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
He expressed his indignation to the Reuters news agency, stating, “This will result in loss of life. If this is executed as outlined in that communication, many individuals will perish.”