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In a sweeping set of executive actions, President Donald Trump's White House has ordered a freeze on all federal foreign and domestic aid, including on funding that has already been allocated to Christian aid organizations and humanitarian relief programs.
Not only does the impoundment of appropriated funds break the balance of powers between the branches of government as outlined in our Constitution, it also pauses funding for Christian led nonprofits and social programs that are widely supported by evangelicals and desperately needed across the country and in the mission field.
Nationally, the freeze affects critical programs like assistance for military service members and veterans, National Suicide Hotline, cancer research, disaster relief, firefighting, public education, hunger relief for children, and so much more.
Organizations and programs that receive federal funding will be affected. These include: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Salvation Army, Feeding America, AmVets, Bread for the World, and countless others that serve both nationally and locally.
“Bread for the World is deeply concerned by the order temporarily pausing new and existing U.S. foreign assistance programs and urges an immediate end to this interruption of services as the Administration completes its necessary review of these critical programs, which we believe will show they are effective and in the interest of the United States. A thorough review can occur without interrupting these lifesaving programs. Moreover, in the long run, the related Stop-Work Order issued by the State Department will end up costing U.S. taxpayers, negatively affect U.S. influence globally, and, more importantly, have a devastating impact on the world’s most vulnerable people. Among other essential programs, since the 1960s, U.S. foreign aid has been providing lifesaving nutrition assistance to tens of millions of people, specifically women and children, each year. Nutrition programs enable countries to improve the health of their populations and strengthen their economies while also supporting U.S. strategic interests and national security by building and maintaining relationships with partner countries and promoting regional stability.”
Globally, the freeze has paused funding to the World Relief, President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),World Food Programme (WFP), Save The Children, and many other nonprofits, stopping the supply of lifesaving drugs for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, as well as medical supplies for newborn babies, leaving millions of innocent lives—many of them children—without recourse.
According to World Relief's new donation page message:
“Critical funding for refugees and vulnerable families we serve in the U.S. and worldwide has stopped abruptly. This has created a devastating gap, threatening vital programs that feed malnourished children, support maternal health, and provide food and shelter to refugees.”