US resumes humanitarian funding through global agencies after dismantling USAID

The United States is re-engaging in global humanitarian efforts, channeling nearly $2 billion into international organizations over the past two months. This renewed commitment represents a notable shift in foreign assistance policy, occurring approximately 18 months after the Trump administration froze its international aid operations and subsequently dissolved the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The administration's current approach bypasses a direct US overseas presence, instead relying on established multilateral bodies to deliver targeted aid. This strategy emerged after President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office, January 20, 2025, pausing all USAID activities for a 90-day review. This led to the closure of USAID offices globally and over 10,000 job losses. USAID was permanently dissolved as an independent agency on July 1, 2025, with its remaining functions absorbed by the US Department of State.

Recent funding allocations include $600 million to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, for immunization programs. The World Food Programme (WFP) is set to receive $800 million to combat severe malnutrition in countries like Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Ukraine. UNICEF will receive $218 million for child health and sanitation projects. Additionally, $100 million is committed to Operation End Starvation, targeting child mortality, and $50 million to a coalition developing Ebola vaccines and pandemic preparedness.

Further commitments include $203 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) for disaster response. The administration has also allocated $220 million for Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and $350 million for broader Ebola-affected regions. A substantial $661 million has been pledged to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

These funding decisions contrast with President Trump's earlier claims of widespread fraud and inefficiency within USAID, which he argued failed to reach victims and lacked accountability. The administration's current reliance on international agencies suggests a strategic pivot in how US foreign aid is delivered.