Several UK charities are likely to be affected by the US government’s recently declared pause on foreign aid funding, sector organisations have said.
After beginning his second term as US president last week, Donald Trump announced that his government would undertake a 90-day re-evaluation of its foreign aid funding through the US State Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Part of Trump’s America First agenda, the US foreign policy Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid was one of his initial executive orders on 20 January.
The US Department of State asserted: “President Trump stated clearly that the United States is no longer going to blindly dole out money with no return for the American people.
“The mandate from the American people was clear – we must refocus on American national interests.”
In response, UK umbrella body Bond said the USAID freeze could impact a number of its international development charity members.
National LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall also said the funding pause would affect its work in eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
US government urged to reconsider
Both Bond and Stonewall urged the US government to reconsider its plans to freeze aid funding.
Stonewall chief executive Simon Blake said: “Many will be rightly fearful of the impact the US government decision to suspend all foreign aid will have, including for programmes supporting LGBTQ+ communities around the world.
“This latest decision signals a further rollback of rights and support for marginalised groups by the new administration and its impact will be detrimental to communities living in extremely challenging circumstances and environments across the globe.
“Stonewall’s work in eastern Europe and the Caucasus is enabled by many funders, including the US Government, and supports communities and law enforcement agencies to respond to anti-LGBTQ+ violence, often providing vital services to victims.
“Programmes like this are crucial given the anti-LGBTQ+ laws and rhetoric being increasingly enforced in the region, but they need continued and committed support and funding to succeed.
“We are working hard with our partners to mitigate the impact of the US government’s decision and ensure that the communities and individuals we support aren’t also victims of a political agenda thousands of miles away.”
Bond chief executive Romilly Greenhill 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.”
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