The US State Department has ordered a freeze on new funding for almost all US foreign development assistance, following an executive order issued by Donald Trump.
Hours after taking office on Monday, the US president ordered a 90-day pause in US-funded global projects, pending a review of their effectiveness and a check on whether they are consistent with his foreign policy.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio's directive excludes funding for emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt.
However, it remains to be seen whether it will affect the flow of vital US military aid to Ukraine to help it avoid Russian invasion.
It is known that the Joe Biden administration increased military aid to Ukraine before he left office due to doubts about whether Trump would continue funding Kiev, writes sky news, the Telegraph reports.
About $3.85 billion in funds for future arms shipments to Ukraine – authorized by the US Congress – remain, but it is unclear whether Trump will decide to spend them or not.
The US provides more foreign aid than any country worldwide and budgeted about $60 billion, or 1% of the country's budget in 2023.
The reported abandonment of emergency food programs comes as humanitarian aid is increasing in the Gaza Strip following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and amid famine in war-torn Sudan.
But the order has been criticized by humanitarian officials because it did not exempt life-saving health programs, such as clinics and immunization programs.
Abby Maxman, head of Oxfam America, warned that the suspension of funding "could have life-or-death consequences" for children and families around the world.
"By suspending foreign development assistance, the Trump administration is threatening the lives and futures of communities in crisis and abandoning the United States' long-standing bipartisan approach to foreign assistance that supports people based on need, regardless of politics," Maxman said.
Otherwise, standards for a review of all foreign aid are expected to be set within the next month to ensure it is "consistent with President Trump's foreign policy agenda."
The outcome could have a significant impact on the flow of U.S. foreign aid around the world. /Telegraph/
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