In a decisive move to ensure continued support for critical humanitarian efforts, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved an emergency waiver allowing life-saving assistance to proceed despite the ongoing 90-day review of U.S. foreign aid. The waiver, signed on January 28, 2025, ensures that humanitarian aid programs providing essential food, medical care, and shelter can resume operations immediately.
This decision follows President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, which mandated a temporary pause to assess the efficiency, effectiveness, and alignment of foreign assistance programs with American national interests. While the review remains in effect, the waiver guarantees that urgent humanitarian relief efforts will not be disrupted.
Scope and Limitations of the Waiver
Under the waiver, implementers of existing humanitarian assistance programs are authorized to continue or restart operations if they had previously been halted. However, Secretary Rubio emphasized that this measure is strictly temporary and does not allow for the initiation of new contracts, except in extraordinary cases deemed essential for ongoing life-saving missions.
“This waiver ensures that life-saving humanitarian assistance is not delayed while we conduct a necessary review of our foreign aid expenditures,” Secretary Rubio stated. “We remain committed to supporting emergency aid efforts while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and in alignment with our national interests.”
Humanitarian Assistance Moving Forward
The waiver primarily covers aid programs providing:
- Emergency food distribution and nutritional support
- Medical treatment, vaccines, and life-saving medicines
- Shelter and relief supplies for displaced populations
- Immediate disaster response and recovery assistance
Organizations operating under these categories have been instructed to follow the guidelines set forth in the waiver, ensuring compliance with the review process while maintaining critical support for vulnerable communities worldwide.
The full, signed waiver document is publicly available on the U.S. State Department’s website:
🔗 Read the Waiver Here
Balancing Aid and Accountability
The foreign aid review, announced earlier this month, aims to increase transparency and efficiency in U.S. international assistance. While the administration remains committed to humanitarian principles, officials have stressed the need to eliminate wasteful spending and prioritize programs that directly contribute to national security and economic prosperity.
As the review progresses, additional adjustments may be made based on evolving global conditions and national security considerations. However, the administration has assured that essential humanitarian efforts will continue to receive the necessary support.
With this waiver, the U.S. reaffirms its role as a global humanitarian leader while maintaining a rigorous approach to foreign aid accountability—ensuring that American generosity reaches those in need without compromising fiscal responsibility.