The United States has initiated a significant shift in its foreign aid policy, ordering a 90-day pause and review of all foreign aid projects. This directive, issued by the U.S. State Department, is intended to ensure that foreign aid aligns with President Trump's "America First" agenda. The freeze, which affects approximately $70 billion in annual aid, excludes only emergency food aid and military funding for Israel and Egypt. This unprecedented move has disrupted aid programs worldwide, impacting numerous vulnerable populations and drawing criticism from global organizations.
In Syria, the directive has brought operations at the Al-Hol displacement camp to a standstill. The camp, home to 40,000 people, predominantly women and children, has seen aid workers instructed to cease their activities. The ramifications extend beyond Syria, affecting efforts aimed at combating diseases like HIV and AIDS. Clinics providing services to 20 million individuals with HIV have been forced into inaction due to the freeze.
"It's taking 20 years of goodwill and turning it into an instrument of terror, when people feel like if they touch the drugs, if they see a patient, they might get fired," said Dr. Joia Mukherjee.
The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) has also been disrupted, leaving many programs in a state of uncertainty regarding preventative drug distribution. Additionally, initiatives targeting fentanyl trafficking and bird flu monitoring have been impacted.
Despite these setbacks, the State Department asserts that "critical national security waivers have been granted," though specifics concerning Syria remain undisclosed. The department emphasizes that the pause is an effort to eliminate inefficiencies and block programs deemed "woke," arguing that this realignment serves U.S. national interests.
"We are rooting out waste. We are blocking woke programs. And we are exposing activities that run contrary to our national interests. None of this would be possible if these programs remained on autopilot," stated the State Department.
However, aid organizations argue that the freeze undermines efforts to assist those in dire need and jeopardizes global health initiatives. An unspecified aid worker described the freeze as "like an earthquake across the aid sector, with life-saving programmes in ruins."
The suspension has also affected programs supported by BRAC, a charity reporting that 3.5 million people will face consequences due to halted aid. The U.S., as the largest global donor of foreign assistance, has introduced this freeze as a noteworthy shift in its foreign policy approach.
Critics argue that the freeze not only endangers global initiatives but also risks damaging America's reputation as a reliable ally in humanitarian efforts. Dr. Atul Gawande expressed immediate concern over the repercussions, describing them as "catastrophic."
"It was immediate and my immediate reaction was, this is catastrophic," remarked Dr. Atul Gawande.
While the State Department maintains that the freeze is yielding benefits for the U.S., it has yet to provide further clarity on these claims. A department spokesperson confirmed ongoing evaluations of waiver submissions, emphasizing the Secretary of State's role in protecting America's investments.
"We are judiciously reviewing all the waivers submitted. The Secretary of State has the ultimate responsibility…to protect America's investments," said a State Department spokesperson.
The impact of this decision spans diverse sectors, including climate resilience and green manufacturing, areas reportedly deprioritized under current administration policies.
"From what I'm reading, our program is at jeopardy of being permanently canceled because it's at the edge of climate resilience and green manufacturing – which are not exactly at the top of the list of Trump's priorities," expressed Teddy Ruge.
As organizations grapple with the uncertainty brought about by the freeze, individuals like Ruge anticipate sleepless nights ahead due to potential program cancellations.
"It's really disheartening. So I have a few sleepless nights ahead of me," Ruge added.