WASHINGTON — A new waiver issued by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has allowed some humanitarian assistance programs to resume, despite an ongoing freeze on foreign aid. However, restrictions on migration-related funding raise questions about how displaced populations may be affected.
What does the waiver allow?
The waiver permits the continuation of existing humanitarian programs that provide:
Essential medicines and medical services
Food and shelter
Other subsistence assistance and related administrative costs
This means organizations delivering critical aid can resume work, but only within the scope of these categories.
What Is Excluded?
The waiver prohibits U.S. funding for:
Family planning and abortion-related services
Gender and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs
Transgender medical procedures
Any assistance not classified as life-saving
What about migration assistance?
A key provision of the waiver limits the use of Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) funds. These funds can now only be used for:
Emergency humanitarian aid that falls under the approved categories
The repatriation of third-country nationals to their home countries or a designated safe-third country
While the full impact remains unclear, these restrictions could affect refugees and displaced individuals who rely on U.S. migration assistance.
As U.S. aid policies continue to evolve, questions remain about how these restrictions will impact global humanitarian efforts.
