Official statements from the United Nations or the US government

Trump Halts US Aid, Including HIV Programs; UN Chief Calls for Exemptions

Jan 27, 2025, 11:26 AM

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a 90-day freeze on US foreign aid, excluding only Israel and Egypt, as part of a review to ensure assistance aligns with his 'America First' policy. The directive, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has led the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to halt all assistance programs in countries like Bangladesh and Ukraine. Bangladesh has received $2.4 billion in aid through USAID to date. The suspension affects global health funding, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a widely praised program established in 2003 by President George W. Bush that is credited with saving more than 25 million lives worldwide. The halt could interrupt the provision of life-saving HIV medications for 20 million people, including half a million children. In Ukraine, halted projects include school reconstruction, medical aid, and critical energy repairs. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the aid freeze, calling for additional exemptions to ensure the continued delivery of critical humanitarian support to the most vulnerable populations. Humanitarian organizations and health experts warn that the halt could result in potential mass deaths due to disruptions in critical health programs.