In the wake of significant terminations of U.S.A.I.D. contracts, the Trump administration is reaching out to organizations that have lost funding, asking them to substantiate their contributions to national interests through a detailed survey. This development comes after the abrupt halting of aid, causing operational paralysis for numerous humanitarian projects.
Trump Administration Seeks Accountability from Defunded Aid Programs
Trump Administration Seeks Accountability from Defunded Aid Programs
Amid recent cuts, the White House requests proof of value from foreign aid initiatives.
Last week, the Trump administration made headlines by terminating the majority of U.S. foreign aid contracts and informing a federal court that a comprehensive review of these programs had concluded. Many programs terminated were found to not align with national interests, prompting the administration's actions.
However, in a surprising turnaround, a number of these organizations have recently received a questionnaire titled "Foreign Assistance Review." This document asks them to highlight the benefits their work provides to the U.S. and how their projects correlate with national priorities. The questionnaires, which come with deadlines between March 7 and March 17 for submissions, seem to serve as a part of the administration's thorough evaluation of foreign assistance.
This latest step adds to the confusion for aid organizations, many of which have already ceased operations and laid off staff due to the freezing of federal funds. The aid freeze began with President Trump's executive order dated January 20, resulting in a process that saw lifesaving medical and food assistance programs scrambling to secure waivers to resume operations.
After the swift termination of over 5,000 aid programs last Wednesday, some organizations were later informed that they would be restored but only under the initial terms of temporary waivers set to expire soon. Reports indicate that most programs have not received any frozen funds they were owed nor have they managed to reinstate their operations fully.
As the effects of these procedural moves continue to ripple through the aid community, the chaos from the White House has raised questions about the feasibility of delivering crucial services and whether the upcoming surveys will restore some level of operational stability for these now-struggling organizations.
However, in a surprising turnaround, a number of these organizations have recently received a questionnaire titled "Foreign Assistance Review." This document asks them to highlight the benefits their work provides to the U.S. and how their projects correlate with national priorities. The questionnaires, which come with deadlines between March 7 and March 17 for submissions, seem to serve as a part of the administration's thorough evaluation of foreign assistance.
This latest step adds to the confusion for aid organizations, many of which have already ceased operations and laid off staff due to the freezing of federal funds. The aid freeze began with President Trump's executive order dated January 20, resulting in a process that saw lifesaving medical and food assistance programs scrambling to secure waivers to resume operations.
After the swift termination of over 5,000 aid programs last Wednesday, some organizations were later informed that they would be restored but only under the initial terms of temporary waivers set to expire soon. Reports indicate that most programs have not received any frozen funds they were owed nor have they managed to reinstate their operations fully.
As the effects of these procedural moves continue to ripple through the aid community, the chaos from the White House has raised questions about the feasibility of delivering crucial services and whether the upcoming surveys will restore some level of operational stability for these now-struggling organizations.
