(Baltimore, MD) January 23, 2025 – President Donald Trump took action on Monday by issuing an executive order to temporarily pause the distribution of foreign development assistance funds. This decision will provide an opportunity for the new administration to thoroughly review and assess all these funds.
World Relief acknowledges the new administration’s power and duty to assess these funds and guarantee their alignment with American interests. However, we have significant concerns regarding the potential negative impact that suspending these funds could have on already vulnerable regions across the globe.
“We are currently experiencing an era filled with various crises, characterized by conflicts, violence, and natural disasters that contribute to hunger, disease, and the displacement of people in numerous countries. The United States plays a crucial role in offering assistance, driven by the deeply held beliefs of many Americans and our own national interests. Through this aid, we not only demonstrate goodwill worldwide but also counter the efforts of rival powers like China, who seek to exert their influence for their own agendas,” emphasized Myal Greene, President and CEO of World Relief.
World Relief actively operates in various countries that are currently experiencing significant crises, such as Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, and Haiti. Through a combination of governmental funds and generous contributions from churches, individuals, and foundations, World Relief is able to provide critical assistance in these regions. The organization collaborates closely with local churches to effectively respond to these crises and ensure that support reaches those in need.
“The United States has a rich legacy of offering humanitarian aid and fostering global stability. This vital assistance not only saves lives but also upholds various American values,” emphasized Lanre Williams-Ayedun, Senior Vice President of International Programs at World Relief. “We urge a prompt and comprehensive evaluation of foreign development assistance, ensuring that life-saving investments and efforts to address humanitarian crises remain a top priority. While responsible fiscal management necessitates prudent use of taxpayer money, we hope that humanitarian and emergency disaster response aid will be exempted from any suspension.”
During President Trump’s first administration, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated the “New Partnerships Initiative,” which intelligently focused on prioritizing local, small- to medium-sized, and nontraditional implementers like faith-based organizations. Senator Marco Rubio, as well as Secretary of State, supported legislation to officially establish and support such initiatives. Additionally, in his initial term, President Trump signed a five-year extension of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), affirming the longstanding bipartisan commitment of the United States to combatting public health crises and collaborating closely with faith-based implementers.
World Relief celebrates the innovative approach and emphasis on collaboration with faith-based organizations. However, it cautions against the potential consequences of suspending funding to these organizations for even a short period of three months. Such a suspension could hinder their capacity to provide essential humanitarian aid and worsen the already dire global displacement crisis.
According to Greene, President Trump has emphasized the importance of tackling immigration issues during his presidency. With global humanitarian crises leading to widespread displacement and forced migration, it is crucial to develop public policy solutions that address the complex challenges associated with mass displacement and migration. Greene argues that suspending funding for humanitarian response and development assistance does not contribute to finding lasting solutions to both global and domestic crises.
World Relief is urging the administration to reconsider its decision or, at the very least, expedite the review process. It is crucial to resume funding for the most pressing global crises, while aligning the approach with U.S. interests and our national commitment to upholding the dignity of all individuals, as we are all created in God’s image.