U.S.-funded health projects around the world, including those providing lifesaving care, received termination notices from Washington on Thursday as President Donald Trump's administration neared completion of a review to ensure grants are aligned with its "America First" policy.
Trump ordered a 90-day pause on all foreign aid in January pending assessments of how projects were consistent with this foreign policy.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed concerns that Washington is ending foreign aid, saying waivers had been provided to life-saving aid.
Only weeks later, the administration decided to terminate more than 90% of the programs globally, according to a February 25 court document, including many that were initially covered by waivers such as work tackling HIV as well as wider health programs.
Several of the largest U.S.-funded HIV/AIDS programmes in South Africa were told that their funding would not resume, according to three senior leaders at health organizations, while a global non-profit that works on malaria and maternal and newborn health had the majority of its contracts cancelled.
UNAIDS, the United Nations agency tackling HIV and AIDS, had its contract with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) cancelled, documents reviewed by Reuters showed.
Khana in Cambodia, an HIV and TB organisation, also got a termination notice, according to a source familiar with its work.
There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the U.S. State Department.
Reuters was not immediately able to determine how many organisations worldwide were affected, or exactly what the criteria were for termination.
"Secretary Rubio and (USAID) Deputy Administrator (Peter) Marocco have determined your award is not aligned with Agency priorities and made a determination that continuing this program is not in the national interest," said the notice received by organisations, which was seen by Reuters.
International AIDS Society President Beatriz Grinsztejn, referring to cuts worldwide, said: "The U.S. funding cuts are dismantling the system. HIV treatment is crumbling. TB services are collapsing... Lives are on the line." Her organisation is not affected directly.
Others provided HIV testing and services to the general population, said Francois Venter, executive director of the Ezintsha Research Centre in Johannesburg, which is not funded by USAID.
South Africa has the world's largest number of people living with HIV, at around 8 million.
"The programmes who received their termination letters this morning were among the most efficient, effective health delivery programmes in the country," said Venter, calling it a "devastating blow" for South Africa's HIV response.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said talks between Russia and Ukraine had brought “meaningful progress” towards ending the war, as negotiations m...
The United States and Iran reported measured progress after a new round of indirect talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the dispute over Tehran’s nuc...
An unidentified man was taken into custody on Tuesday (17 February) after running towards the U.S. Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun and wearing tacti...
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that clearing the vast of rubble in Gaza could take up to seven years at the current pace, ...
Peru’s Congress has voted to censure and remove José Enrique Jeri Ore from his posts as President of Congress and acting President of the Republic,...
Foreign aid and its political implications are at the centre of public debate in Georgia with mayor of Tbilisi Kakha Kaladze echoing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's stance on USAID.
Nearly half of 1,100 metric tonnes of emergency food rations stored in a U.S. government warehouse in Dubai will be destroyed after reaching their expiry date. The aid remained unused following a freeze on funding introduced during President Donald Trump’s administration.
A USAID official and three business owners pleaded guilty to a 10-year bribery scheme involving at least 14 prime contracts worth over $550 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars.
The State Department office that handles refugee issues and works to cut illegal migration will deal with the U.S. response to overseas disasters, a role for which they say it lacks the know-how and personnel.
Cuba’s fuel crisis has turned into a waste crisis, with rubbish piling up on most street corners in Havana as many collection trucks lack enough petrol to operate.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy held military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday (16 February), state-linked media reported. The drill took place a day before renewed nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington in Geneva.
The 2026 Munich Security Conference (MSC) unfolded over three intense days in Munich, confronting a defining question of our era: has the post-Second World War international order collapsed - and if so, what will replace it?
Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced on 16 February that the Honourable Janice Charette has been appointed as the next Chief Trade Negotiator to the United States. She's been tasked with overseeing the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Ruben Vardanyan has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Baku Military Court after being found guilty of a series of offences including war crimes, terrorism and crimes against humanity.
U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said talks between Russia and Ukraine had brought “meaningful progress” towards ending the war, as negotiations moved into a second day in Geneva.
The United States and Iran reported measured progress after a new round of indirect talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
An unidentified man was taken into custody on Tuesday (17 February) after running towards the U.S. Capitol carrying a loaded shotgun and wearing tactical gear, according to Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan.
Peru’s Congress has voted to censure and remove José Enrique Jeri Ore from his posts as President of Congress and acting President of the Republic, just four months into his tenure, citing undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessmen and alleged hiring irregularities.
France celebrated Olympic gold in the men’s biathlon relay in Anterselva on Tuesday (17 February), following a thrilling race marked by an electric atmosphere at the stadium.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment