The Trump administration has rolled back its decision to cancel several emergency food aid programs, following internal resistance and public outcry. At least six projects, including those under the World Food Programme (WFP), have now been reinstated.
USAID Acting Deputy Administrator Jeremy Lewin instructed staff to restore aid to Lebanon, Syria, Somalia, Jordan, Iraq, and Ecuador. The administration also resumed four canceled awards to the International Organization for Migration in the Pacific region. Lewin admitted to the disruption, saying in an internal email that balancing interests had been a challenge and took personal responsibility.
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The aid reversals follow reports that over $1.3 billion in humanitarian assistance had been abruptly cut, including $463 million worth of WFP projects. Many of the canceled programs had previously received waivers from Secretary of State Marco Rubio but were still eliminated in recent days.
While some aid has been reinstated, funding remains frozen for Afghanistan and Yemen. Officials cited concerns that resources could benefit the Taliban and the Houthi movement. The Trump administration’s broader effort to restructure USAID and reduce foreign assistance continues to face criticism from rights groups and lawmakers.
