The United States has announced a sweeping freeze on new foreign assistance funding, with exceptions for military aid to Israel and Egypt, and emergency food programs, according to a directive issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday 24 January. The freeze, which is slated to last at least three months, applies to a broad range of US-funded global initiatives, including health, education, and development programs. Rubio’s directive mandates that no new obligations for foreign assistance should be made unless explicitly exempted. Military aid for Israel and Egypt remains unaffected by the freeze, with the US allocating USD 3.3 billion (EGP 165.81 billion) annually to Israel and USD 1.3 billion (EGP 65.32 billion) to Egypt, primarily for defense. Both countries are among the largest recipients of US military assistance globally. A memo accompanying the directive specifically mentioned waivers for foreign military financing to the two nations. Humanitarian organizations expressed alarm over the freeze, warning it could lead to significant disruptions in essential aid services. Programs providing life-saving health assistance, such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), are included in the suspension. PEPFAR, established in 2003…
