Some global health projects that had their U.S.-funded contracts abruptly canceled last week are now receiving letters that reverse those decisions, according to media reports.
This reversal follows the Trump administration’s termination of approximately 90% of contracts funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. State Department.
Democratic lawmakers, along with some Republicans and rights groups, have strongly criticized the administration’s efforts to halt federally funded humanitarian initiatives worldwide.
Michael Adekunle Charles, chief executive of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, indicated that his organization received a letter reversing the cutoff of its funds late Wednesday. “I think it’s good news. We need to wait in the coming days to get additional guidance,” he told Reuters. “Our priority is saving lives, so the earlier we can get started to continue saving lives, the better.”
Other programs that receive U.S. funding to combat tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS also had their funding cuts reversed. However, uncertainty continues to loom.
Dr. Lucica Ditiu, executive director of the Stop TB Partnership, expressed caution, stating, “It sounds good, but we cannot draw down money. We have no clarity.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department noted that the Trump administration is reviewing every dollar spent to ensure taxpayer resources are utilized to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
On his first day back in the White House, Trump ordered a 90-day pause on all U.S. foreign aid. Subsequent stop-work orders have brought USAID operations globally to a standstill, leading to the placement of most USAID staff on leave or termination.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s emergency order for the administration to expedite the release of funding to contractors and grant recipients from USAID and the State Department. This funding will cover nearly $2 billion for work already completed by these organizations.
Meanwhile, contractors and grant recipients suing the government are requesting that U.S. District Judge Amir Ali set a new Monday deadline for the release of a significant portion of the funding for their completed work. This deadline would not encompass the entire $2 billion.
The contractors and grant recipients are also seeking the restoration of most foreign aid contracts and grants that the Trump administration terminated last month, while the lawsuit progresses.
The administration stated that “all legitimate payments” owed to the plaintiffs would be made “within days,” and no more than 10 days, but that foreign payments to other parties not involved in the lawsuit could take significantly longer.
Some plaintiffs warn that if they do not receive immediate payment, they risk shutting down their operations.
Some information for this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.
