The U.S. State Department has decided to temporarily extend funding for humanitarian programs that "save lives." This was reported by The Washington Post and Associated Press, citing a statement made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on January 28 regarding several projects.
Rubio made an exception to the freeze on aid to other countries for humanitarian projects that provide "essential life-saving medicines, medical services, food, shelter, and livelihoods."
In his statement, Marco Rubio indicated that humanitarian assistance programs that "save lives" may continue their operations or resume activities if they had been suspended.
However, the State Department did not make exceptions for programs related to abortion, gender initiatives, assistance for transgender individuals, and "other aid not related to saving lives."
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The U.S. freezes most foreign aid grants
U.S. President Donald Trump on January 20 prohibited the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from providing assistance to other countries for 90 days while current programs are reviewed for compliance with U.S. foreign policy.
On January 24, the U.S. State Department suspended all active foreign aid programs, making exceptions for military assistance to Israel and Egypt.
American officials and diplomats urgently requested that programs related to Ukraine be excluded from the 90-day aid suspension order.