In a surprising move, the US has put a stop to nearly all foreign aid programs worldwide. This decision comes just days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to pause such assistance for 90 days. The State Department confirmed the freeze in a memo sent to all US diplomatic posts, leaving many humanitarian groups worried about the impact.

The memo, shared by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, calls for an immediate halt to existing aid programs and delays any new funding. Over the next month, officials will review whether these programs align with the Trump administration’s foreign policy goals. Programs that don’t meet the criteria could face cuts or even cancellation.

While the freeze is broad, there are a few exceptions. Emergency food aid and military funding for Israel and Egypt will continue as usual. However, other countries relying on US support, like Ukraine and Taiwan, weren’t specifically mentioned in the memo.

Humanitarian workers are sounding the alarm, calling the move “incredibly disruptive.” One official described the situation as “as bad as it gets,” noting that the sudden pause could have serious consequences for global stability. The US is the world’s largest humanitarian donor, and this freeze could leave many vulnerable communities without critical support.

In his executive order, Trump argued that foreign aid programs often don’t align with American interests or values. But critics point out that many of these initiatives, like global health efforts, have long enjoyed bipartisan support and directly benefit the US by preventing pandemics and promoting stability.

As the review unfolds, the future of billions of dollars in aid remains uncertain, leaving many to wonder how this decision will shape global relations and humanitarian efforts moving forward.