Source: European Parliament
The EU takes note of the announcement made by the President of the United States (US) on 20 January 2025 to temporarily suspend all US foreign assistance programmes for 90 days pending a review by the administration.
It also observes that on 28 January 2025, the US State Secretary extended the waivers of the pause to lifesaving humanitarian programmes.
The impact of the temporary freeze on US foreign assistance, notwithstanding the waivers in force, cannot be fully ascertained yet, but impacts can already be felt globally .
The EU is in close contact with its Member States, donors and aid organisations to assess the impact on EU-funded projects and affected populations.
Mitigation measures, including early use of financial reserves, will be put in place, if necessary, to safeguard EU humanitarian response.
Measures will be taken on a case-by-case basis in coordination with relevant stakeholders. However, despite all mitigating measures and efforts, the EU cannot be expected to fully compensate for the US foreign aid freeze.
As a major development and humanitarian donor, the EU remains at the forefront of global efforts to promote sustainable development and tackle crises. The EU continues its efforts in addressing poverty and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals[1].
The EU also remains engaged in fragile countries or in complex settings with specific policy focused on lifesaving actions, supporting the populations’ most immediate needs in terms of food, health, shelter, protection and education.
The EU will not step back from its humanitarian commitments and will continue working to save lives and alleviate suffering, in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.
- [1] https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals