US allows life-saving aid to continue during 90-day foreign aid pause

ISTANBUL

The US government has approved a waiver allowing life-saving humanitarian aid to continue during a 90-day pause in foreign aid. The Wednesday decision was implemented as part of President Donald Trump’s executive order to suspend US foreign assistance in line with his “America First” policy.

The foreign aid freeze has caused significant uncertainty, with many aid beneficiaries struggling to receive clear information.

The directive halted ongoing projects, froze disbursements, and paused new initiatives, though exceptions were made for emergency food assistance and foreign military aid to Israel and Egypt, as reported by CNN.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that critical national security waivers had been granted, including measures to protect US personnel, facilitate the repatriation of illegal immigrants, and fulfill non-proliferation commitments.

Rubio issued the waiver ensuring that "life-saving humanitarian assistance" can still be provided during the review period.

This assistance includes "core life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance, as well as supplies and reasonable administrative costs necessary to deliver such assistance."

While the waiver ensures essential aid can continue, there are specific restrictions.

The waiver does not apply to activities related to "abortions, family planning, conferences, administrative costs other than those covered" for life-saving assistance, or "gender or DEI ideology programs, transgender surgeries, or other non-life saving assistance." The Trump administration has sought to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the government and elsewhere.

Rubio's memo says "no new contracts shall be entered into" during this period, meaning no new agreements for foreign aid will be made unless approved by a separate waiver.

In short, the waiver strictly limits the types of aid that will be allowed, focusing on the most essential, life-saving programs.

- ‘Thousands could die’

Additionally, Rubio said Migration and Refugee Assistance can only be used for life-saving activities or to assist individuals in returning to a safe location.

For other forms of humanitarian aid not covered by this waiver, organizations can request additional waivers through the State Department.

The 90-day freeze on US foreign aid is already causing severe consequences, with officials warning that "if the suspension continued for two more weeks, thousands could die," according to CNN.

Many United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contractors have been laid off, and senior staff were placed on paid leave for allegedly trying to "circumvent the President’s Executive Orders."

In the war-scarred Gaza Strip, aid efforts have been disrupted, with trucks stuck at the border, as officials remain unsure whether staff can deliver assistance.

This waiver ensures that essential humanitarian aid can continue while the US government reviews its foreign assistance policies. However, the decision is temporary, and the realignment of US foreign aid remains uncertain.