US Eases Aid Freeze, But Restrictions Remain on Certain Programs
U.S. government-supported organizations, including health initiatives funded by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), will now continue to receive international aid.
This comes after assistance organizations throughout the world warned that the 90-day restriction on foreign aid financing and activity has endangered millions of lives, prompting Secretary of State Marco Rubio to sign the waiver on Tuesday evening.
However, money for non-lifesaving aid, gender, diversity and inclusion projects, conferences, family planning, abortion services, and transgender surgery is still suspended.
US President Trump implemented the freeze just hours after he took office on January 20 as part of a broader initiative to match foreign aid with his "America First" policy.
Meanwhile, following the move by President Trump, the government has pledged to ensure that individuals on ARVs would continue to receive life-saving care as it seeks to acquire funds for this through supplemental budgets.
Source:Reuters
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Tags: WHO Ministry Of Health PEPFAR
