In 2023, the U.S. suspended foreign aid, notably affecting humanitarian programs worldwide, especially in Egypt where military aid continued amidst severe disruptions in education and health initiatives. Thousands of students and development workers faced immediate financial and logistical crises. There are growing calls for reform in how aid is managed, emphasizing local empowerment and sustainability.
In early 2023, the U.S. Department of State suspended foreign aid, directly impacting various humanitarian programs worldwide for at least 90 days. This transformative change has affected food aid, educational initiatives, and medical support, with approximately $500 million in food aid risked due to spoilage and $8.2 billion in humanitarian aid left unallocated and unmonitored. The freeze was announced suddenly, creating chaos across international assistance sectors, especially regarding ongoing projects with U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Egypt, a major recipient of U.S. foreign aid primarily in military support, faced immediate repercussions. While military funding continued, humanitarian aid efforts stalled, halting projects in education, healthcare, and agriculture. Thousands of affected Egyptian students and workers faced abrupt disruptions to their livelihoods and educational pursuits, leading to a significant sense of uncertainty about their futures. Many individuals reported receiving notice of funding loss just hours after the freeze was announced.
U.S. military aid remains significant despite human rights concerns in Egypt, which has historically received about $1.5 billion in total aid, with $1.2 billion allocated for military purposes in 2023. Although Congress has imposed conditions on military aid, the current administration has frequently waivered these conditions, citing diplomatic reasons. Critics like Laila Ayman view this selective support as a strategy to pressure Egypt and stated, “This is all a way to exert pressure on Egypt to fall in line.”
Students enrolled in USAID-funded scholarship programs experienced distress following the funding suspension, leading to immediate cancellations of educational activities and the requirement to vacate housing without financial support. Reports describe scenes of panic among students, with many struggling to navigate the logistical challenges of returning home. This crisis has left vulnerable segments of the student population, particularly those from low-income families and individuals with disabilities, in dire situations.
Amidst these challenges, the Egyptian Ministry of Education pledged to help affected students cover their educational expenses temporarily. However, some first-year students found themselves without support, emphasizing the substantial risk posed to their educational futures. The abrupt cessation of funding for development projects has frustrated many in the sector, risking the collapse of essential services built over years of U.S.-Egyptian collaboration.
Professionals in the development sector, including policy analysts like Bahey Amin, reported abrupt layoffs and loss of operations, as they were issued stop work orders with no financial resources available to them. This situation contradicts stated U.S. goals for progress and stability in the region, leaving many critics questioning the effectiveness and intentions behind U.S. foreign assistance policies.
The U.S. foreign aid freeze has severely impacted humanitarian programs, particularly in Egypt where military funding persists while educational and health initiatives have stalled. Students and development sector workers face existential challenges, raising concerns about the viability of future aid and support amid bureaucratic decisions. The situation highlights the need for a more equitable approach to development that prioritizes local ownership and capacity building to ensure sustainable outcomes without reliance on foreign aid.
Original Source: truthout.org
