U.S. humanitarian aid efforts have ground to a halt worldwide despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assurances of continued support, leaving millions in conflict zones and famine-stricken regions at risk. The freeze follows a 90-day review ordered by President Donald Trump to align foreign aid with his \"America First\" policy—a move critics call a \u0022devastating blow\u0022 to global stability.
The Rubio Paradox 

Rubio claimed he issued a waiver to allow life-saving aid during the review, but USAID staff and contractors report near-total paralysis. \u0022Projects are frozen, and nobody’s answering calls,\u0022 a source told China Media Group. Even food shipments worth $340 million sit undelivered, according to ex-USAID official Marcia Wong.
Trump’s \u0022Axe the Agency\u0022 Plan 
Trump vowed to dismantle USAID, calling it \u0022corrupt\u0022 in a Truth Social post. His administration slashed its global workforce from 10,000 to 300, ordering most employees home by February 7. A court temporarily blocked layoffs for 2,200 staff this week, but uncertainty looms until at least February 14.
Hunger Crisis Goes Unchecked 

Critical programs in Sudan, Gaza, and other regions have stalled, including cash assistance and community kitchens. The shutdown of famine-monitoring networks leaves aid groups \u0022flying blind,\u0022 while UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged the U.S. to restore its \u0022global leadership\u0022 role.
As the world watches, the stakes couldn’t be higher: 500,000 metric tons of food and countless lives hang in the balance.
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U.S. humanitarian aid stalled despite Rubio's assurance: sources
cgtn.com