United States: The US State Department has issued an immediate suspension of all foreign assistance and paused any new foreign aid allocations, according to an internal memo obtained by officials and US embassies abroad. This decision follows President Donald Trump’s executive order, signed, initiating a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance while a comprehensive review is conducted.
The United States, the largest global foreign aid donor, spent $68 billion on international assistance in 2023. The State Department’s directive is poised to impact a wide collection of programmes, including development and military aid. According to the memo, exceptions to the halt include emergency food assistance and military funding for Israel and Egypt.
The memo requires officials to refrain from committing funds to new projects or extensions of current ones until individual reviews are completed and approved. It further mandates the issuance of stop-work orders for existing projects until the review’s conclusion.
The review, which is set to be finalised within 85 days, aims to ensure that US foreign aid aligns with Trump’s foreign policy objectives. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that international spending should only strengthen, secure, or benefit the United States.
Critics warn of the sweeping impact the freeze may have on critical global initiatives. Josh Paul, a former State Department official, noted that programmes like humanitarian demining efforts could face abrupt shutdowns. Meanwhile, Dave Harden, a former USAID mission director, explained the move as “extremely broad” and highlighted its potential to disrupt essential projects in water, sanitation, and shelter worldwide.
The funding freeze also introduces concerns about its implications for Ukraine, which has received significant US aid under former President Joe Biden. Rubio’s memo cites the need to avoid duplication and to evaluate whether existing responsibilities align with Trump’s priorities.
Despite the broad suspension, waivers have been granted for emergency food assistance and administrative costs related to foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt. The halt overlaps with ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, and other regions. The State Department has not yet provided an official comment.
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