The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has suspended all relief activities in Bangladesh in compliance with an executive order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The executive order, signed on January 20 shortly after Trump assumed office, mandates a 90-day suspension of all U.S. foreign aid programs globally.
According to the Trump administration, this decision is part of a comprehensive review of the country’s foreign aid policies and programs.
The suspension is expected to significantly affect contracts, grants, and other funded projects, raising concerns among NGOs in Bangladesh that depend on U.S. funding for their operations.
However, the directive has made exceptions for financial support to Israel and Egypt.
For many years, USAID has depended heavily on U.S. funding to sustain its activities. In a letter addressing the suspension, the agency referred to President Trump’s executive order and stated that all activities under agreements, work orders, grants, and cooperative contracts involving USAID and its implementing partners in Bangladesh have been halted.
The U.S. Department of State has clarified that foreign aid will resume after a thorough review by Secretary of State Rubio. However, until the review is complete, all ongoing foreign aid programs will remain suspended, with immediate effect.
