Policy Updates

On January 28, 2026, the US Department of Agriculture signed a US$452 million agreement with the World Food Programme to deliver nearly 211,000 tons of agricultural goods to seven countries through the Food for Peace program, which USDA officially took over from USAID.

The agreement, signed by Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg and WFP office director in Washington, D.C. Matthew Nims, directed US-grown commodities to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, and Rwanda. USDA mandated the program follow an "America First" approach requiring strict accountability measures, reduced dependency on foreign assistance, and procurement of commodities of 100% US origin.

The commodities, scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026, included wheat, corn-soy blend plus, beans, lentils, rice, sorghum, and vegetable oil. USDA also mentioned procuring ready-to-use supplementary foods or ready-to-use therapeutic foods, though the agency did not clarify which product. US permanent representative to the UN agencies in Rome Lynda Blanchard stated the agreement marked an important step as the US recalibrated its engagement with the United Nations. USDA planned to post additional Food for Peace awards as funds became available.

On January 7, 2026, US President Donald Trump ordered the US to withdraw from 66 international organizations, including 31 UN entities, cutting funding to organizations deemed contrary to US interests and alarming allies concerned about Washington's retreat from multilateralism.

Trump signed a presidential memorandum instructing all US government agencies and departments to cease participating in and funding 35 non- UN organizations and 31 UN entities. The White House stated the withdrawals would end US taxpayer funding and involvement in entities that advance globalist agendas over US priorities. The list of affected entities included:

• ECW;
• the IDLO;
• UNFPA;
• UNFCCC;
• IPCC;
• UNDESA;
• UNDEF; and
• UNCTAD.

The decision made no reference to major UN humanitarian agencies, including the IOM, the WFP, UN Human Rights, or UNICEF, though all faced severe US budget cuts during the past year. The announcement followed a February 4, 2025 presidential order directing a review of all international intergovernmental organizations.

On January 7, 2026, the US Department of State announced a freeze on assistance to Somalia after accusing Somali officials of destroying a US-funded WFP warehouse and illegally seizing 76 metric tons of donor-funded food aid intended for vulnerable populations.

The warehouse, located in the Mogadishu port area, stored specialized food for malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding women, girls, and young children. The US Department of State announced a pause on all ongoing assistance programs benefiting the Somali Federal Government, citing a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance.

The move occurred as Somalia faces a worsening food crisis, with nearly 4.4 million people projected to face acute food insecurity amid a fast-escalating drought expected to worsen over time. The US has historically served as Somalia's largest bilateral humanitarian donor, obligating US$1.2 billion in humanitarian and other assistance to Somalia in fiscal year 2023 and US$420 million the following year.

Somali authorities confirmed they demolished the warehouse structure but disputed the seizure allegations. The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the commodities remained under WFP custody and control. Furthermore, WFP said it was engaging with authorities and partners to address the issue and ensure safe storage of food commodities.

On November 25, 2025, the US State Department approved a grant of up to US$150 million over three years to Zipline International Inc., an American robotics and autonomous drone delivery company, to expand healthcare operations in Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Côte d'Ivoire, potentially reaching 15,000 health facilities and providing 100 million people with access to blood and medications.

The grant marked one of the first major US global health funding announcements since the Trump administration's foreign assistance freeze, dismantling of USAID, and release of its 'America First' global health strategy. US Undersecretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom Jeremy Lewin characterized the partnership as an example of innovative, results-driven partnership at the core of the America First foreign assistance agenda.

The funding was structured on a pay-for-performance basis, with initial payments unlocked when participating governments signed contracts committing to pay for ongoing logistics services. The five governments committed to pay up to US$400 million in utilization fees. Rwanda, where Zipline began operations in 2016, is expected to be the first to sign.

On November 21, 2025, the US pledged US$4.6 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for 2026-2029 at the 8^th Replenishment pledging event in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Global Fund reached US$11.3 billion of its US$18 billion target, with the US maintaining its matching pledge ratio requiring the Global Fund to secure US$2 from other donors for every US$1 contributed.

The pledge represented a modest decline from the US$6 billion the US committed in the previous funding cycle. Undersecretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom Jeremy Lewin announced the pledge in a video message, noting the reduction was to account for needed reforms and efficiencies. Lewin praised Executive Director Peter Sands' leadership and the organization's track record, stating the Global Fund would play a role in America's new vision for global health engagement.

The pledge came amid uncertainty about whether the US would contribute at all, following the Trump administration's dismantling of the country's foreign assistance infrastructure and withdrawal from many multilateral commitments.

On November 21, 2025The Global Fund held its Eighth Replenishment Summit, in Johannesburg, South Africa, co-hosted by the governments of South Africa and the UK on the margins of the G20 Leaders' Summit, securing US$11.3 billion in pledges to sustain the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Partners from more than 30 countries pledged support to save lives and strengthen systems for health, marking the first replenishment held on African soil. The summit demonstrated global solidarity despite fiscal tightening, conflict, and global uncertainty, though total pledges fell short of the ambitious target set in the Investment Case and several donors had yet to confirm their pledges.

The US, the Global Fund's largest donor, committed US$4.6 billion. The UK pledged GBP850 million (US$1.1 billion), while Germany confirmed EUR1 billion (US$1.2 billion) and Canada pledged CAD1.02 billion (US$723 million). France noted that its support remained unchanged. Spain increased its pledge to EUR145 million (US$167 million), Italy pledged EUR150 million (US$173 million), the Netherlands contributed EUR146 million (US$169 million), and additional pledges came from many other donors. South Africa committed US$37 million, including US$10 million from the private sector. African countries made solidarity commitments totaling US$52 million. G20 member states reached US$9 billion in commitments.

Within the private sector, the Gates Foundation pledged US$912 million, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation pledged US$135 million, and (RED) committed US$75 million. Overall, private sector support reached US$1.3 billion.

On October 19, 2025, US President Donald Trump halted all US assistance to Colombia after Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused the US of murdering a fisherman in a Caribbean strike meant to target the transportation of illicit drugs, ending hundreds of millions of dollars in American assistance.

Colombia received an estimated US$230 million in the US budget year that ended on September 30, 2025, already a significant decline from recent years, in which Colombia typically received at least twice as much funding. Trump stated all payments and subsidies to Colombia would cease and announced he would reveal new tariffs on October 20, 2025. Colombia is the top recipient of US assistance in Latin America, with funding previously set to exceed US$400 million at the start of 2025 before earlier cuts reduced it to approximately US$100 million.

Petro rejected accusations of complicity in the illicit drug trade and defended his government's counternarcotics efforts. The Colombian Foreign Ministry described Trump's statement as a direct threat to national sovereignty.

On October 17, 2025, at the G7 Development Minister’s Meeting in Washington, D.C., US Senior Official for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom Jeremy Lewin urged partners to prioritize efficient development programs that catalyze private investment and counter debt-trap diplomacy.

The meeting, held on the margins of the WBG and IMF Annual Meetings, focused on mobilizing private capital, reforming multilateral institutions, and increasing burden-sharing. Lewin urged partners to prioritize efficient development programs that bypass the ' NGO industrial complex,' catalyze private investment, and advance strategic imperatives, highlighting the recent US reform of its 'wayward' foreign assistance system.

Lewin underscored the importance of the G7 as a platform for US cooperation on humanitarian issues, development, and security. 

During the World Bank-IMF annual meetings on October 15, 2025, US Representative French Hill highlighted similar themes and stated that the US sought 'actual development' that stayed true to organizational mandates and produced results. He criticized perceived mission creep in multilateral institutions and stated that the US should maintain its shareholding in multilateral institutions to advance American interests and secure reforms. Hill also emphasized that 'America First' meant US leadership rather than isolation.

On September 25, 2025, the US administration issued a presidential memorandum to investigate and disrupt networks and organizations, including nonprofits, that the administration views as supporting political violence, coinciding with Department of Justice instructions to investigate George Soros's Open Society Foundations for potential racketeering charges.

The memorandum, titled Countering Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence cited the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, attacks on federal officers, and over US$2 billion in property damage from riots as justification for the new measures. The strategy calls for Joint Terrorism Task Forces to investigate funders and employees of organizations aiding in such activities. The memorandum also instructed the US Treasury and the IRS to identify and disrupt financial networks and ensure that tax-exempt entities, many of which are registered as nonprofits, are not directly or indirectly financing political violence.

The Open Society Foundations, which has distributed more than US$23 billion worldwide, condemned the instructions to the Department of Justice as politically motivated attacks on civil society meant to silence free speech. Soros founded the origins of the organization in 1984 to support democracy, especially in communist and former communist countries. The foundation funds groups promoting human rights, democracy, and equity.

The National Council of Nonprofits echoed the Open Society Foundations' concerns, stating that there was no evidence linking nonprofit organizations and foundations to recent political violence. Nearly 200 philanthropic organization released a joint open letter condemning political violence and warning against using the tragedy for partisan gain.

On September 18, 2025, the US Department of State, under the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, released its America First Global Health Strategy, a comprehensive plan to align US global health programs with American national interests, security, and prosperity.

While the plan reaffirms commitment to goals for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and TB, the strategy marks a significant pivot from previous administrations, failing to mention previous administration and historically bipartisan priorities, including maternal and child health, routine immunizations, nutrition, and family planning. The document frames global health as a tool to counter Chinese influence, particularly in Africa.

The strategy is built on three pillars:

• "Making America safer" by improving disease surveillance and outbreak response;
• "Making America stronger" by shifting to bilateral agreements with partner countries; and
• "Making America more prosperous" by protecting the US economy from pandemics and promoting American health products.

The plan outlines a move away from NGO-led program delivery toward direct, multi-year bilateral agreements with recipient governments. The agreements will require co-investment from partner countries and will be tied to performance benchmarks. The US administration aims to finalize the deals with the 87 countries that received US health funding in FY2023 by the end of 2025, which is a timeline seen as highly challenging by global health experts, particularly in light of severe cuts to government global health staff.

The strategy justifies the shift by targeting “inefficient and wasteful” spending, asserting that 60% of current funding goes to overhead and program management rather than frontline services.

Critics raised concerns that the new model poses significant challenges, highlighting that a purely bilateral approach is seen as insufficient to tackle transnational threats, which require the broad, multilateral cooperation offered by institutions like the WHO. Another point of concern highlighted by health experts is the reduced funding for program management and technical assistance, which could weaken the detailed data collection and reporting that have historically allowed for close congressional oversight.