United Nations (TDI): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the US Government to consider “additional exemptions” to a directive which pauses nearly all foreign aid for 90 days.
US President Donald Trump’s executive order a week ago called for all foreign assistance to be re-evaluated to ensure that it complies which his new foreign policy priorities.
The State Department has said that funding for existing programmes is also suspended until it has been reviewed.
The only exceptions were for military aid to Israel and Egypt and emergency food assistance.
Guterres’ Spokesperson Stephan Dujarric said on his behalf, “The Secretary-General notes with concern the announcement of a pause in US foreign aid.”
“The Secretary-General calls for additional exemptions to be considered to ensure the continued delivery of vital development and humanitarian activities for the most vulnerable communities around the globe, whose lives and livelihoods depend on this assistance.”
The statement added the UN head was looking forward to engaging with the Trump administration on how “much needed development support” can be provided to people in the developing world who face the severest challenges.
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The US is one of the largest aid providers and it is important that we work constructively to jointly devise a mechanism to ensure the aid continuity, Guterres said.
The US Government is the largest single donor of assistance in the world, disbursing nearly $72 billion in aid during 2023.
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It also reportedly provided more than 40% of all humanitarian assistance accounted for by the UN during 2024.
