United States Reduces Humanitarian Aid to Several Countries, Including Syria
April 8, 2025, 3:23 pm

United States Reduces Humanitarian Aid to Several Countries, Including Syria

مساعدات إنسانية

The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development announced cuts to aid affecting more than 12 countries, including Syria, according to Sarah Charles, the former head of the agency's humanitarian affairs office.

In her statement, Charles confirmed that these cuts, announced on April 7, threaten the lives of millions of people. The value of the cut aid exceeds $1.3 billion, based on data from the organization "Stand Up For Aid," which advocates for human rights.

The financial cuts are designated for specific countries, with approximately $562 million reduced in aid to Afghanistan, $107 million to Yemen, $170 million to Somalia, $237 million to Syria, and $12 million to Gaza, according to Reuters.

The United Nations World Food Programme warned that the U.S. funding cuts for emergency food assistance could be a "death sentence for millions suffering from severe hunger and famine." The agency is also in communication with the Trump administration for further information regarding these decisions.

Reports indicate that among the recently announced cuts, $111 million was reduced from the food aid provided by the World Food Programme to Syria. At the end of February, the United Nations Population Fund was informed of the termination of a $24 million grant over two years for sexual and reproductive health projects in Afghanistan, in addition to canceling another $17 million grant over two years that was designated for Syria.

On February 27, the Trump administration cut its support for the "Syrian Civil Defense," known as the White Helmets, which is considered a significant loss for this U.S.-backed organization. According to CNN, funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development for civil defense activities related to firefighting, search and rescue, and community resilience enhancement was halted.

These reductions come in the context of the United States' decision to stop its foreign aid, at a time when Syria is in a transitional phase following the fall of the Assad regime, and the country's needs are increasing across various sectors. On January 20, the United States suspended most foreign aid grants for a period of 90 days, noting that there would be a review and potential exemptions to this decision.

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