WASHINGTON: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Saturday suspended its funding to the Muhammed Yunus-led interim Bangladesh government after President Donald Trump suspended all foreign aid for 90 days.
This follows the State Department's "stop-work" order on Friday, halting all existing foreign assistance and pausing new aid under Trump's new executive order from Jan 20, which withheld support to US-backed global aid programs. Only Israel and Egypt have been excluded from the list.
According to NPR, a memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the government-wide comprehensive review of all foreign assistance shall be completed within 85 days, and a report shall be produced for the Secretary of State's consideration and recommendation to the President.
Citing Trump's executive order on "reevaluating and realigning" foreign aid, USAID issued a statement to its partners in Bangladesh directing them to immediately stop any work performed under its contract.
"This letter serves as a directive to all USAID/Bangladesh implementing partners to immediately stop, cease, and/or suspend any work performed under your respective USAID/Bangladesh contract, task order, grant, cooperative agreement, or other acquisition or assistance instrument," the developmental agency said.
USAID's decision to suspend financial assistance to Bangladesh could have dire consequences for the Yunus-led government. According to USAID, its program in Bangladesh is the largest in Asia, encompassing key global food security and health initiatives, along with critical democracy, governance, education, and environmental projects.
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