The recent termination of thousands of U.S. foreign aid contracts has sent aid organizations into disarray as they now face scrutiny to prove their worth through a new questionnaire distributed by the Trump administration.
Terminated Aid Programs Under Review by Trump Administration
Terminated Aid Programs Under Review by Trump Administration
Trump's administration demands a value assessment from foreign aid programs amid funding cuts, questioning their contribution to national interests.
The Trump administration has taken a hard stance on the United States' foreign aid programs, recently terminating nearly all contracts under the U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S.A.I.D.). Following a court declaration that their review determined many programs were not in the national interest, over 5,000 projects have been shut down. However, just days after the terminations, some of these organizations received a surprise questionnaire titled “Foreign Assistance Review,” requesting details about their alignment with U.S. interests.
The survey's distribution has introduced further complexity to an already chaotic situation for aid organizations, many of which have laid off their employees due to lack of funding during the review process initiated following President Trump's executive order to freeze aid on January 20. Questions regarding their continued viability are compounded by the fact that deadlines to complete the survey vary, with some organizations reporting that they have no staff remaining to fulfill this new requirement.
The uncertainty began with a stop-work order for U.S.A.I.D. employees and contractors, alongside a freeze on funds, including reimbursements for past expenditures. Afterward came the opportunity for some organizations to apply for limited waivers to continue their critical work. But with over 5,000 programs now scrapped, updates regarding fund restoration have been inconsistent and elusive, with many in the sector struggling to discern their future.
The survey's distribution has introduced further complexity to an already chaotic situation for aid organizations, many of which have laid off their employees due to lack of funding during the review process initiated following President Trump's executive order to freeze aid on January 20. Questions regarding their continued viability are compounded by the fact that deadlines to complete the survey vary, with some organizations reporting that they have no staff remaining to fulfill this new requirement.
The uncertainty began with a stop-work order for U.S.A.I.D. employees and contractors, alongside a freeze on funds, including reimbursements for past expenditures. Afterward came the opportunity for some organizations to apply for limited waivers to continue their critical work. But with over 5,000 programs now scrapped, updates regarding fund restoration have been inconsistent and elusive, with many in the sector struggling to discern their future.
