Despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s claims that lifesaving humanitarian aid would continue, international aid and development programs funded by the U.S. government have nearly ground to a halt, multiple humanitarian leaders confirmed to ABC News.
Many organizations warn that food designated for some of the world’s poorest populations and nutrition programs for malnourished children in conflict zones are at risk of spoiling due to bureaucratic delays.
One humanitarian leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the Trump administration, described sitting on over 1,000 tons of food in Mozambique that remains undistributed.
“It’s utterly, utterly wasteful,” the leader said.
The State Department had promised that “waivers” would allow some emergency programs—including food, water, and nutrition aid—to continue, despite the Trump administration’s widespread stop-work orders.
However, organizations say they must wait for official approvals before resuming work. While some programs have received limited exemptions, many remain stalled due to:
- Delays in approving waivers from the State Department and USAID.
- USAID staff being recalled from overseas posts or placed on administrative leave.
- Lack of access to federal funding, as many groups remain locked out of the payment system.
Thousands of USAID staffers have been told to return home, leaving organizations with no direct contacts or responses to their inquiries.
When questioned about these urgent warnings, Rubio dismissed concerns, suggesting that some aid groups may be incompetent.
“If it saves lives, if it’s emergency lifesaving aid—food, medicine, whatever—they have a waiver,” Rubio told reporters last Tuesday. “If they’re not applying it, then maybe they’re not a very good organization and maybe they shouldn’t be getting money at all.”
However, USAID officials and humanitarian leaders strongly dispute Rubio’s claims, insisting that the waivers are not being processed and that funding remains frozen.
“Right now, there is no USAID humanitarian assistance happening,” said a USAID humanitarian division official on a call with reporters Friday.
“There are waivers, but they are a fraud and a sham, meant to create the illusion of continuity, which is untrue.”
The official added:
“There is no staff left to actually process waiver requests, move money, or approve new aid programs. We’ve ceased to exist, and any assertions to the contrary are untrue.”
One humanitarian aid executive described frustrating conversations with lawmakers who were shocked to learn that aid groups could not access federal funds.
“Surely, there is cash?” one lawmaker asked.
The executive responded: “No, no, there is no cash.”
With U.S.-funded humanitarian efforts stalled, aid organizations warn that the situation is worsening daily, leaving millions at risk without food, water, and medical supplies.
