13 February 2025
Many of you will have seen news reports or heard from humanitarian organizations working in your communities regarding the US government announcement of a 90-day suspension of assistance and associated stop work orders.
We recognize the uncertainty and concerns that these reports may create for you and for others receiving assistance through US-funded humanitarian services.
In past years, the US has funded over 40% of all humanitarian work worldwide, meaning that it has likely supported many of the services and assistance you have received from humanitarian partners.
A large amount of US funding is currently suspended. The speed and scale of these decisions has impacted humanitarian operations around the world and the consequences are already being seen and felt by you and other people affected by crises. Many humanitarian organizations are currently unable to access funds to deliver medical supplies, food and other assistance and protection. Humanitarian organizations have been forced to pause programmes, close offices and cut staff.
This follows two consecutive years in which the funding made available for humanitarian action globally decreased, which already required us to reduce and/or close services and programmes in many communities around the world.
However, many humanitarian programmes are still able to continue their work with support from other donors, private foundations and of course your own diaspora, community and volunteer networks.
As we navigate the period ahead, we encourage you to continue engaging with us and with your community leaders to highlight your most urgent priorities and the potential risks that result from services and assistance being suspended, and to identify alternative sources of funding.
The humanitarian community’s commitments to communities are set out clearly. As we face the challenges ahead, we are committed to ensure that choices about the future are made together with you, as the people who are most affected and we will continue to demand that principled humanitarian assistance is accountable to you, in line with the commitments made and set out in the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS).
And we are committed to sharing updates with you on the future of the assistance and services you have been receiving, as soon as more information becomes available.
For more information, contact: info@chsalliance.org
