The President took less than a week to pause almost all overseas development funding.
Charities and international development organisations have expressed deep concern about US Government plans to end almost all foreign aid spending.
After less than a week in office a leaked memo, reported by POLITICO, claims that all foreign aid spending will be paused for 90 days by the Donald Trump administration.
Some exceptions are included in the order - with foreign military financing for Egypt and Israel set to continue, as well as some emergency food aid - but for most “stop-work orders” are being issued for existing grants, until such time that they can be reviewed to see how they align with President Trump’s agenda.
The order reads: “It is the policy of the United States that no further United States foreign assistance shall be disbursed in a manner that is not fully aligned with the foreign policy of the President of the United States.”
Bond, the UK network for organisations working in international development and humanitarian assistance, said the move must be reversed.
Romilly Greenhill, CEO of Bond said: "We strongly urge the new US administration to reconsider its current pause in USAID spending.
“Knowing the devastating impact the UK aid cuts had on marginalised communities facing conflict, poverty and climate change globally, this decision will damage efforts to reduce poverty and erode years-long partnerships and trust."
Oxfam said the Trump administration was "threatening the lives and futures of communities in crisis" by suspending U.S. foreign assistance.
The charity’s US head said: “The United States is at its best when we are living up to our values and helping people to live lives of security, safety, and dignity – allowing people all over the world to not simply survive, but to thrive. By suspending foreign development assistance, the Trump administration is threatening the lives and futures of communities in crisis, and abandoning the United States’ long-held bipartisan approach to foreign assistance which supports people based on need, regardless of politics.
“Humanitarian and development assistance accounts for only around one percent of the federal budget; it saves lives, fights diseases, educates millions of children, and reduces poverty. Suspending and ultimately cutting many of these programs could have life or death consequences for countless children and families who are living through crisis. Suspending it casts uncertainty over all U.S. humanitarian and development programming, which makes aid experts unable to effectively plan or operate.
“Oxfam will continue to push for the U.S. government to lead an inclusive and effective fight against poverty and inequality. We must uphold U.S. aid that values the lives and dignity of communities over political interests.”
Those working in warzones fear they will be affected, with one user of the Kyiv-based foundation Veteran Hub, writing on Facebook that its closure was “a very severe blow” following the US aid cut.
Danish charity DanChurchAid, which receives funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) said they were “not surprised, but very disappointed” with the move.
Mattias Söderberg, global climate lead at the charity, told Climate Change News: “Every dollar makes a difference, and when aid is paused, it has an effect for people on the ground in some of the most vulnerable countries.”
Humanitarian charity Mercy Corps said in a statement that governments, civil society and the private sector must “step up where leadership is lacking and accelerate efforts to reduce emissions, scale up climate finance, and contribute to a climate-resilient future for all people.”
The head of the United Nations has also expressed concern about President Donald Trump’s decision.
A spokesman for Antonio Guterres said they had noted the change with “concern”.
They added: “He calls for additional exemptions to be considered to ensure the continued delivery of critical development and humanitarian activities for the most vulnerable communities around the world.
“Those lives and livelihoods depend on this support. We are currently mapping out what [the Trump administration’s decision] means and the impact that it would have.”
