UN Secretary-General Guterres calls on US to ease aid suspension

(CLO) United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the US administration to consider additional exceptions to the 90-day suspension of international aid to ensure the maintenance of important humanitarian and development activities.

After taking office, US President Donald Trump issued an order to suspend international aid to review whether it was consistent with his foreign policy.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Photo: FOTW

The decision threatens to disrupt billions of dollars in vital aid. The United States is currently the world’s largest aid donor, with $72 billion allocated in fiscal year 2023.

The UN Secretary-General’s spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, stressed the important role of the US in providing voluntary humanitarian and development assistance to the UN. He said the UN is working to assess the impact of the suspension.

"We appreciate the generosity the United States has shown. The UN looks forward to working with the new administration to listen to and address concerns, while ensuring that the most vulnerable remain protected," Dujarric said.

The order initially caused confusion among US lawmakers, aid agencies and the UN, but the US State Department clarified it on Friday, issuing a “cease-of-action” order for existing aid and suspending new aid.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the authority to grant waivers and has made exceptions for emergency food aid.

However, Mr. Guterres called on the US to expand further exceptions to maintain essential humanitarian and development activities for vulnerable communities around the world.

Aid and human rights organizations have also expressed concern about the suspension.

“The new administration has the authority to review aid, but it is essential to maintain critical operations while the review is underway,” said Sarah Yager, Washington director of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Ms. Yager pointed to US aid programs that include medical assistance, mine clearance, and the protection of human rights defenders and other vulnerable communities. “All of these programs are at risk without a stable source of funding,” she said.

Meanwhile, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce affirmed: "This order is to review what we have been doing, whether changes are needed, and how to best move forward into the future. We will not be taken advantage of."

This aid suspension represents a tougher stance than Trump's first term (2017-2021). At the UN General Assembly in 2018, Trump declared: "From now on, we will only give aid to countries that respect us and are our true friends."

Cao Phong (according to CNN, AJ, BBC)

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