Aaj English TV

Wednesday, February 19, 2025  
20 Shaban 1446  

Trump administration approves waiver for life-saving humanitarian aid

Abortions, family planning, conferences, administrative costs are not included for foreign aid
US Senator Marco Rubio sits on the day he testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US on January 15, 2025. Reuters
US Senator Marco Rubio sits on the day he testifies during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, US on January 15, 2025. Reuters

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved a waiver that allows for the continuation of life-saving humanitarian aid during a 90-day pause on foreign assistance programs.

“Implementers of existing life-saving humanitarian assistance programs should continue or resume work if they have stopped, subject to the directions outlined in this waiver,” he said in a press release.

The conditions that are applicable in this situation are as follows:

  • Life-saving humanitarian assistance included essential medicines, medical services, food, shelter, and basic subsistence support, along with necessary supplies and reasonable administrative expenses for delivering this aid.

  • The activities excluded are related to abortions, family planning, conferences, administrative costs not specified in (a), gender or diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, transgender surgeries, or any other non-life-saving assistance.

  • Organizations seeking additional waivers or exceptions for humanitarian assistance not included in this waiver should contact the Director of Foreign Assistance at the Department of State and coordinate with their U.S. government agency partners.

The US State Department has revealed that the country is “spending roughly $40 billion in foreign aid annually,” which is paused for 90 days.

Just hours after taking office a week ago, US President Donald Trump announced the pause so foreign aid contributions could be reviewed to see if they align with his “America First” foreign policy.

The US foreign aid pause risks cutting off billions of dollars of life-saving assistance. The United States is the largest single donor of aid globally. In fiscal year 2023, it disbursed $72 billion in assistance.

Read more

US freezes almost all aid except for Israel, Egypt arms: memo

Trump-led US administration halts aid to Pakistan amid broader cuts: report

Trump to appoint Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor

For the latest news, follow us on Twitter @Aaj_Urdu. We are also on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

United States

foreign aid

US State Department

waiver