Estimated read time: minutes. The order threatened a quick halt to many of the billions of dollars in U. The U. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's order, delivered in a cable sent to U. The cable spells out the execution of the aid-freezing executive order President Donald Trump signed on Monday. But Friday's order especially disappointed humanitarian officials by not including specific exemptions for lifesaving health programs, such as clinics and immunization programs.
Some aid projects began receiving their first stop-work orders under the freeze Friday afternoon. Some leading aid organizations also were interpreting the directive as an immediate stop-work order for U. Agency for International Development official said. Many would likely cease operations immediately so as not to incur more costs, the official said. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Suspending funding "could have life or death consequences" for children and families around the world, said Abby Maxman, head of Oxfam America. At the United Nations, deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said: "These are bilateral decisions, but nonetheless we expect those nations who have the capability to generously fund development assistance. While Rubio's order exempted military assistance to allies Israel and Egypt from the freeze, there was no indication of a similar waiver to allow vital U.
The Biden administration pushed military aid to Ukraine out the door before leaving office because of doubts about whether Trump would continue it.
The sweeping freeze begins enforcement of a pledge from Trump and other Republicans to crack down on U. Also on Friday, the State Department agency overseeing refugee and resettlement sent guidance to the resettlement agencies it works with, saying they had to immediately "suspend all work" under the foreign assistance they were receiving.
