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Abrupt changes to foreign assistance architecture weaken US influence

WASHINGTON – The ONE Campaign released the following statement on reports of significant changes to the operations and distribution of US foreign assistance.

“The sudden disruption of US foreign assistance is a boon to our adversaries who have been seeking for decades to eliminate US influence and goodwill throughout the world. Just this morning Dmitry Medvedev, a top advisor to Putin and subject of US sanctions, applauded the collapse of USAID,” said Elizabeth Hoffman, Executive Director for North America at ONE. “To ensure that programs are smart and effective, real reform requires precision.”

The effort to fold USAID into the State Department (Secretary of State Rubio announced today that he is acting director for USAID) comes shortly after a 90-day pause to nearly all US foreign assistance, which continues to cause confusion for governments as well as NGOs and implementing organizations. Despite an exemption for “lifesaving humanitarian assistance” issued last week, and a subsequent PEPFAR-specific waiver allowing distribution of medication and treatment to continue, significant disruptions to care persist as many groups remain unable to draw down on their funds.

“Amid ongoing confusion about which services US implementers may provide, additional, sudden disruptions risk lives and damage our reputation as a dependable partner and ally,” Hoffman added.