The U.S. has announced it will provide over $1 billion in funding to the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Food Programme as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to address global humanitarian crises.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of State said the White House would provide UNICEF with $218 million through new global macro awards, while WFP will have access to more than $800 million to support life-saving programmes in over 40 countries.
“Today (Tuesday), the United States announced more than $1 billion in humanitarian and disaster response assistance to UNICEF and the World Food Program (WFP) through new global macro awards, which cover life-saving support in more than 40 countries,” the statement said. “The more than $218 million in assistance to UNICEF and more than $800 million to WFP announced today are the second and third in a series of global State Department awards to trusted and vetted implementing organisations.”
The announcement came months after Mr Trump signed an executive order in January, withdrawing U.S. funding for 66 international organisations, including 31 United Nations agencies, citing policy differences and a renewed focus on domestic priorities.
The department noted that the new ‘Humanitarian Reset’ memorandum of understanding signed with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in December last year has replaced the previous funding model, which the Trump administration described as fragmented.
“These awards reflect a new model of humanitarian assistance built on speed, accountability, measurable impact, and the elimination of bureaucratic waste. Implementers can mobilise quickly, in some cases within 24 hours, ensuring that U.S. taxpayer dollars reach those in need without delay,” it stated.
