United States-funded humanitarian aid efforts have largely come to a halt worldwide, despite claims by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the U.S. would continue to provide assistance, multiple sources revealed on Saturday.
Earlier this week, Rubio announced that he had issued a waiver to allow life-saving U.S. humanitarian aid to proceed during a 90-day review of U.S. foreign aid initiatives. However, several staff members and contractors of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) reported that the reality on the ground does not align with Rubio's statements. According to China Media Group (CMG), almost all USAID humanitarian aid projects are currently at a standstill.
Shortly after taking office on January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause to review U.S. foreign aid contributions to ensure they align with his \"America First\" foreign policy agenda. In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump accused USAID of corruption and fraudulent spending, calling for the agency to be shut down.
USAID, the primary U.S. federal agency responsible for most non-military foreign aid and operating under the State Department's guidance, has become a focal point for restructuring efforts by the Trump administration. Rubio was appointed as the agency's acting head to oversee these reforms.
On Tuesday, the Trump administration ordered that most of USAID's global employees be placed on \"administrative leave\" starting February 7, with only a few designated personnel exempted. Additionally, USAID staff stationed abroad were instructed to return to the U.S. within 30 days. Reports indicate that the administration aims to reduce USAID's global workforce from over 10,000 employees to fewer than 300, representing a 97 percent reduction.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols in Washington D.C. intervened on Friday, pausing plans to place 2,200 USAID employees on leave through a temporary, limited order. This order blocks the Trump administration from taking certain steps to dismantle the agency until February 14.
The halt in U.S. humanitarian aid is severely impacting global efforts to address hunger crises. Humanitarian organizations are struggling to manage food distribution, with approximately 500,000 metric tons of food valued at $340 million in limbo, awaiting State Department approval for distribution, according to Marcia Wong, a former senior USAID official.
Cash assistance intended for people in Sudan and Gaza has also been halted, affecting food purchases and other necessities. Volunteer-run community kitchens in Sudan, supported by the U.S., are unable to operate, leaving vulnerable populations without necessary support.
The suspension of USAID operations has created significant roadblocks for humanitarian organizations seeking to fund emergency food operations. With USAID officials on leave, inquiries about program permissions remain unanswered, as reported by multiple sources.
The Famine Early Warning Systems Network, a crucial U.S. entity that provides food security alerts to prevent famine, has been shut down. This loss deprives aid organizations of essential guidance for deploying humanitarian relief.
In response to the deep cuts in grassroots humanitarian funding by the Trump administration, UN agencies have issued a dire assessment of the global impact. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Washington to maintain its position as a global aid leader to ensure the delivery of critical development and humanitarian activities.
(With input from Reuters)
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U.S. humanitarian aid stalled despite Rubio's assurance: sources
cgtn.com
