Task Force Argo’s Post

Excellent article: https://lnkd.in/djDMwQGk about U.S. Foreign Aid Overhaul: Implications for Africa The recent U.S. executive order reevaluating foreign aid could have significant repercussions for Africa. Here are three key takeaways: 1️⃣ Funding Freeze: The 90-day suspension of U.S. foreign development assistance means immediate halts in funding for various programmes across Africa.This pause could disrupt ongoing projects in health, education, and infrastructure, potentially stalling progress in these critical sectors. 2️⃣ Policy Realignment: The directive mandates that all foreign aid must align with U.S. foreign policy interests. This shift may lead to a re-prioritisation of aid recipients and programmes, favouring nations and initiatives that directly support U.S. strategic objectives. Is it possible that African countries may need to reassess their diplomatic and economic engagement s with the U.S. to ensure continued support? 3️⃣ Operational Uncertainty:The order introduces a period of uncertainty for NGOs and contractors operating in Africa who rely on U.S. funding.With the future of many programmes in question, organisations may face operational challenges, affecting service delivery and employment. Do African leaders and stakeholders engage with U.S. counterparts to manage the evolving aid landscape and advocate for the continuation of essential support that aligns with both U.S. and African interests? Or we dance to the tune of the one who holds the $

This America First approach is consistent with a move away from the localisation agenda. I expect other governments will follow Trump. Those already aligned with his view of the world but also those under pressure of parties and movements that do. It is an easy sell. Not many people care about international development. It’s an easy way to placate a call to move towards unilateralism. There will be no riots when these policies are reversed. Private foundations, key proponents of this localisation effort over the years, will need to step up - and double down. On Think Tanks has been and continues to work to encourage more funding for local organisations on matters of local interest. In Kenya, in Peru, in the US. See our work with funders of education research in Africa for example educationreseachafrica.org Find out more how we can help https://lnkd.in/e3JK7BVA

https://lnkd.in/dAgJcUY7 America’s Broken Foreign Aid Apparatus Max Primorac Jul 23, 2024 The U.S. government has spent hundreds of billions of dollars on foreign aid to support our national security objectives around the world. The United States has rescued tens of millions of people from natural disasters, epidemics, and ravages of war. Unfortunately, foreign aid budgets have grown so large that federal agencies can no longer fulfill their management and oversight duties to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer funds. A powerful and politicized aid industrial complex lobbies Congress to secure ever larger foreign aid budgets and stymie aid transparency and accountability. The U.S. is spending more on foreign aid than ever before, yet the world is poorer, more unstable and corrupt, less well governed, and increasingly beholden to our adversaries. America’s foreign aid programs are failing to advance the national interest, instead, it is promoting a radical and social agenda overseas. We must sizably cut the foreign aid budget, especially humanitarian aid that has been financing terrorists in Afghanistan, Gaza, Syria, and Yemen. We must transition to trade and investment promotion as the true path towards peace and prosperity in the global south.

Presidential Action: Prioritizing American Interests in Foreign Aid Today, the President of the United States of America signed an Executive Order to ensure that "U.S. foreign assistance fully aligns with American values and interests." The new policy provides: ✅ A 90-day pause on foreign development assistance to assess programmatic efficiency and alignment with U.S. foreign policy under the new Administration. ✅ Comprehensive reviews of all foreign aid programs to determine their impact and alignment with the new Administration's national objectives. ✅ A commitment to harmonious and stable international relations by aligning aid with strategies that promote peace and prosperity. According to the Executive Order, this action aims to reform how foreign aid is managed, ensuring that every dollar spent reflects and advances the United States' priorities outlined by the new Administration. In 2023, $72B was disbursed across 209 countries and regions, according to ForeignAssistance.gov. #PresidentialAction #ForeignAid #PolicyReform #ForeignDevelopment #USAID #Trump #USA

UN chief expresses concern over US decision to suspend foreign aid Antonio Guterres calls for additional exemptions to be considered to ensure the continued delivery of critical development and humanitarian activities for the most vulnerable communities around the world UNITED NATIONS, January 27/ United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the United States’ decision to suspend foreign assistance. "The secretary general notes with concern the announcement of a pause in US foreign assistance. He calls for additional exemptions to be considered to ensure the continued delivery of critical development and humanitarian activities for the most vulnerable communities around the world, whose lives and livelihoods depend on this support," Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN Secretary General, said. "The Secretary General looks forward to engaging with the new United States administration on the provision of much needed development support to people grappling with the most difficult challenges confronting the developing world," he stressed. "The United States is one of the largest aid providers, and it is vital that we work constructively to jointly shape the strategic push forward." Politico wrote last week that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had halted spending on most of the existing foreign aid grants for 90 days. According to the newspaper, the document leaves "room for interpretation and does provide some exceptions." Military funding programs for Israel and Egypt will continue, but assistance to Ukraine, Jordan, and Taiwan will likely be suspended. Any decisions to continue, alter, or cease foreign aid funding programs will be made upon review by the Secretary of State. #business #finance #financialservices

“foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values” and “serve to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries.” But the US Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 that governs foreign aid speaks to the principle of interdependence and humanitarianism. To seek to eliminate poverty, hunger, illness and ignorance. These seem like American values to me. “Congress finds that fundamental political, economic, and technological changes have resulted in the interdependence of nations. The Congress declares that the individual liberties, economic prosperity, and security of the people of the United States are best sustained and enhanced in a community of nations which respect individual civil and economic rights and freedoms and which work together to use wisely the world’s limited resources in an open and equitable international economic system. “Furthermore, the Congress reaffirms the traditional humanitarian ideals of the American people and renews its commitment to assist people in developing countries to eliminate hunger, poverty, illness, and ignorance.”

The Global Implications of a U.S. Foreign Aid Halt On his first day in office, President Trump initiated a 90-day halt on new foreign development aid, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s directive to suspend nearly all ongoing foreign aid programs. While aimed at reassessing alignment with the “America First” policy, this stop-work order has immediate and far-reaching consequences. Programs vital to global health, food security, and U.S. national security have been frozen, impacting efforts to prevent disease outbreaks, fight fentanyl trafficking, support vulnerable communities, and strengthen alliances. The order jeopardizes U.S. influence, leaving room for adversaries like China and Russia to expand their global reach. Foreign assistance, long a bipartisan cornerstone of U.S. strategy, isn’t just charity—it’s a strategic investment. It safeguards national security, builds markets, and reinforces global alliances. Yet, this suspension risks permanent program shutdowns, increased costs, and damage to America’s global standing. While reviews are necessary, halting programs entirely undermines decades of progress. It’s not too late to reverse course and ensure U.S. foreign aid continues to reflect its values and advance its strategic interests. Read the full analysis to explore the potential impact of this policy shift by R. Michael Schiffer Andrew Green Kevin Deegan-Krause https://lnkd.in/dXc4KMGa

This executive order isn't getting as much press attention as some others, but should be of interest to anyone concerned with foreign policy. It speaks generally about reviewing ALL foreign assistance; but calls for a 90-day suspension of DEVELOPMENT aid. Usually DEVELOPMENT assistance is distinguished from HUMANITARIAN assistance. Will the latter be allowed to continue its role in saving lives and alleviating human suffering? Will the Rubio/Trump find humanitarian principles are consistent with U.S. interests?

🚨To our International Development and Humanitarian Assisstance community: As you probably have heard, the US State Department that governs all Foreign Aid Funds for USAID and other programs has issued Stop Work Orders for all grants, cooperative agreements and contracts. This means all projects (except a few excluded from these orders) will be immediately suspended until the Executive Order to review Foreign Aid has been completed. We are following this very closely and will keep you informed with some key advocacy points. In the meantime, here are some details via Reuters: https://lnkd.in/eQ5wsKP4