President Trump Moves To Restore Key Foreign Aid Programs Recently Terminated, Including Emergency Food Assistance In Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, And More.

In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump has initiated the reinstatement of at least six critical foreign aid programs recently terminated under his administration. These programs, mainly focused on emergency food assistance, are vital to countries experiencing humanitarian crises, such as Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, Jordan, Iraq, and Ecuador.

This reversal highlights the unpredictable and often rapid shifts in Trump’s approach to international humanitarian aid, raising concerns among global partners and relief organizations.

Background: Sudden Aid Cuts and Reversals

Just days before the restoration, the Trump administration abruptly cut off foreign aid programs worth over $1.3 billion, affecting more than a dozen countries, including Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Syria, according to LMSINT MEDIA’s earlier report.

The swift reinstatement of some of these programs emphasizes the chaotic nature of aid policy during Trump’s tenure—programs were canceled, then quickly restored, only to face possible termination again. This inconsistency has severely disrupted the planning and execution of international humanitarian operations.

Internal Response from USAID

Jeremy Lewin, Acting Deputy Administrator of USAID, who has reportedly been linked to Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), issued an internal email requesting staff to reverse several termination decisions.

According to the internal memo, funding to the World Food Programme (WFP) for emergency food aid in the six countries mentioned has been reinstated. Additionally, four critical aid awards to the International Organization for Migration in the Pacific region are being restored.

Lewin acknowledged the confusion, stating:

“Sorry for all the back and forth on awards. There are a lot of stakeholders, and we need to do better about balancing these competing interests — that’s my fault and I take responsibility.”

External and Advocacy Group Reactions

The organization Stand Up For Aid, which includes both current and former US officials, expressed concern over the instability in US foreign aid policy. The group revealed that over $463 million in contracts for the World Food Programme in Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, and Jordan were previously canceled at Lewin’s direction.

Many of these canceled programs were reportedly granted waivers by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, allowing them to temporarily bypass funding restrictions after earlier cuts.

However, as of the time this article was published, the US State Department has not released an official statement regarding the restoration of the awards.

Impact on Global Humanitarian Efforts

These abrupt policy changes are having a profound effect on global relief efforts. Emergency food programs are often time-sensitive and depend heavily on stable, predictable funding. The repeated policy reversals make it difficult for partner organizations to deliver aid efficiently.

Experts and advocacy groups continue to urge the US government to adopt a more stable, transparent, and predictable approach to humanitarian assistance.

Conclusion

The Trump administration’s decision to reinstate some of the terminated foreign aid programs offers a glimpse into the tensions and complexities of US foreign aid policy. While the move may temporarily restore life-saving support to vulnerable populations, the uncertainty surrounding future commitments remains a significant concern for both domestic stakeholders and international partners.

For more information on global aid efforts, visit the World Food Programme’s official website.