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UN warns pause in U.S. foreign assistance could harm humanitarian, development programs; urges exemptions
Summary
The United Nations said it "notes with concern" the U.S. decision to pause foreign assistance and asked that exemptions be considered to protect continued delivery of critical development and humanitarian activities, while agencies map the potential impacts globally including on Afghanistan.
The United Nations said it "notes with concern" the decision by the United States to pause foreign assistance and called for additional exemptions to ensure continued delivery of "critical development and humanitarian activities for the most vulnerable communities around the world."
Secretary-General António Guterres said the United States is one of the largest contributors to the UN system and that UN agencies are "mapping out all of what that means and the impact that it would have." He said the UN looks forward to engaging with the new U.S. administration to jointly shape a way forward while protecting vulnerable populations that rely on humanitarian and development assistance.
In questions following the briefing, the UN spokesperson and the secretary-general repeated that humanitarian and development agencies are assessing the likely effects. Guterres said individual UN agencies are identifying where gaps would be most acute and seeking alternative funding sources; he urged other member states and donors to step up.
Speakers at the briefing flagged specific concerns about Afghanistan and other contexts that rely heavily on U.S. support. The World Food Programme recently reported that cuts to aid risk leaving about 1,000,000 people hungry this winter in Afghanistan, and UN agencies said they are considering contingency plans should a pause persist beyond short periods.
Guterres emphasized the UN's desire to work with the U.S. administration to address its concerns while preserving essential assistance for populations that depend on it. UN officials said more detailed impact assessments are under way and will inform operational adjustments and donor outreach.
