Marco Rubio defends aid freeze: ‘US is not a Charity’
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, defended the suspension of billions of dollars in foreign aid, stating, “The U.S. government is not a charity.” In an interview on Thursday, Rubio explained that projects would be reviewed to determine which ones “make America safer, stronger, or more prosperous.”
Humanitarian organizations have expressed serious concerns about the suspension, as programs such as food support for malnourished children may be halted. These organizations warned that the aid suspension could result in the deaths of many children.
Despite these concerns, Secretary Rubio emphasized that, “We don’t want to see people die.” He reassured that the intent was not to harm, but to reassess the aid programs.
Upon taking office, former President Donald Trump immediately suspended all foreign aid, including payments to Afghanistan, for three months. The State Department later announced that most foreign aid programs, except for emergency food aid and military assistance to Israel and Egypt, would be halted for review, which could take up to 85 days.
Rubio stated that one goal of the suspension was to increase cooperation from aid recipients. In 2023, the U.S. provided approximately $72 billion in humanitarian assistance, making it the largest donor worldwide.
The suspension of foreign aid under the Trump administration has raised concerns about the broader impact on global humanitarian efforts, especially in crisis-stricken regions like Afghanistan. While the U.S. aims to re-evaluate aid effectiveness, these decisions can have dire consequences for vulnerable populations who depend on such assistance for survival.
Trump’s “America First” policies often prioritized national interests over global obligations, leading to disruptions in international aid. Although the goal was to ensure aid contributed to U.S. security and interests, the humanitarian consequences reveal the complex balance between domestic policy and international responsibilities.
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