Amnesty International has expressed grave concerns regarding the potential impact of the recent freeze on US foreign aid on human rights in Myanmar. In a statement released Thursday, the organization warned of dire consequences, including possible loss of life, as hospitals in Myanmar’s refugee camps have reportedly ceased operations following the aid suspension.
This halt in funding stems from an executive order issued by President Trump aiming to reevaluate and realign US foreign development aid with American interests. Under the order, no foreign assistance is to be disbursed unless it aligns with the President’s foreign policy directives. This move has put a 90-day pause on all foreign development assistance programs and issued Stop-Work orders for existing awards. The detailed memorandum on this policy is available here.
Although US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has the authority to waive these orders for life-saving humanitarian aid, Amnesty International notes that healthcare providers in Myanmar do not benefit from this waiver. Similarly, the Norwegian Refugee Council, unable to secure a waiver, had to suspend its US-funded humanitarian activities, affecting refugees in 20 countries.
The efficacy and impact of US foreign aid remain topics of debate. The Foundation for Economic Education questions the long-term benefits of such programs, whereas the Alliance for Peacebuilding argues that foreign assistance is vital for preventing conflict despite accounting for less than one percent of the US budget.
As the Trump administration initiates a review of foreign aid disbursements, human rights organizations and international NGOs urge for continued support for active programs under the UN, the State Department, and USAID to prevent exacerbating humanitarian crises. The Better World Campaign, for instance, has called for a halt to the Stop-Work orders to ensure ongoing humanitarian efforts can proceed.