US freezes almost all aid except for Israel, Egypt arms

The Trump administration has enacted a sweeping freeze on U.S. foreign aid, sparing only emergency food assistance and military funding for Israel and Egypt.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision in a memo on Friday. The move aligns with the administration’s “America First” stance.

The memo mandates a halt to all new and extended foreign aid commitments until a review is completed within 85 days. Existing programs, including PEPFAR, a highly acclaimed anti-HIV/AIDS initiative, and support for Ukraine, face an uncertain future.

Rubio justified the freeze, stating that the administration needed time to ensure foreign aid was effective and aligned with the president’s policies. “No new funds shall be obligated… until reviewed and approved,” the memo stated.

Critics argue the freeze will have devastating consequences for global health and development. PEPFAR, which has saved 26 million lives since its inception in 2003, now faces funding gaps that could disrupt access to life-saving anti-retroviral drugs in Africa.

Lawmakers, including top Democrats Gregory Meeks and Lois Frankel, slammed the decision, warning that over 20 million people rely on PEPFAR medications and 63 million benefits from U.S. anti-malaria efforts.

“Our credibility is on the line,” they wrote in a letter, accusing the administration of abandoning global commitments.

The freeze also halts military aid to Ukraine, a stark shift from the billions allocated during President Joe Biden’s tenure to counter Russian aggression.

Rubio, who once supported development aid as a senator, said the freeze aimed to prevent duplication and ensure effectiveness.

Emergency food assistance will continue, supporting crises in Sudan and Syria, and military aid to Israel and Egypt remains untouched. Israel’s funding has expanded amid the Gaza conflict, while Egypt’s aid stems from its peace treaty with Israel.

Anti-poverty organizations, including Oxfam America, condemned the freeze. “This decision could mean life or death for countless families in crisis,” said Oxfam President Abby Maxman, emphasizing the minimal federal budget allocated to foreign aid.

According to the OECD, the U.S., historically the world’s largest donor by dollar amount, contributed over $64 billion in 2023. However, the new policy risks undermining its leadership in global humanitarian efforts.

Humanitarian groups and lawmakers are calling for urgent action to reinstate funding for critical programs, warning of widespread suffering if the freeze remains in place.