The United Nations is grappling with significant operational challenges following President Donald Trump’s executive order to suspend all U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days. This suspension, amounting to $2.49 billion in 2024, has led to immediate expenditure cuts and operational freezes across various UN agencies.
Filippo Grandi, head of the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR), announced immediate expenditure cuts and operational freezes in response to the funding halt. Despite assurances from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that essential life-saving aid would remain unaffected, the freeze is broadly impacting humanitarian programs worldwide.
The suspension has led to staff layoffs and operational slowdowns in many humanitarian programs. Concerns are mounting about the potential human cost, especially in high-need areas like Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The freeze has also caused friction with U.S. allies, particularly regarding support for the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
The Trump administration cites misalignment with American interests and perceived inefficiency in aid distribution as reasons for the suspension. This move has led to staff layoffs and operational slowdowns in many humanitarian programs. Concerns abound about the potential human cost, especially in high-need areas like Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The freeze has also caused friction with U.S. allies, particularly regarding the support of the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
The suspension has led to staff layoffs and operational slowdowns in many humanitarian programs. Concerns are mounting about the potential human cost, especially in high-need areas like Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The freeze has also caused friction with U.S. allies, particularly regarding support for the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
