Collective messages on the suspension of humanitarian assistance – information for communities and affected people.

OCHA-endorsed collective messages on the suspension of humanitarian assistance – information for communities and affected people. This was an initiative of OCHA with ICVA and CHS Alliance, with the engagement of other UN agencies at the global level.

20 February 2025

Many of you will have seen news reports or heard from humanitarian organizations working in your communities about the US Government's 90-day suspension of assistance and stop work orders.

We recognize the uncertainty and concerns that these reports may create for you and for others receiving assistance through US-funded humanitarian services.

Your government has the primary responsibility to take care of the people affected by emergencies occurring in your country. However, as and where called upon, international assistance can play an important role in meeting the needs of people impacted by crises, and the US has been the largest donor of foreign aid around the world for decades.

In past years, the US has funded over 40 per cent of all humanitarian work worldwide, meaning that it has likely supported many of the services and assistance you have received from humanitarian partners. We are looking into how we can be more efficient and will ensure that you and your communities are at the centre of this thinking.

A large amount of US funding is currently suspended. The speed and scale of these decisions has disrupted humanitarian operations around the world and the consequences may already be felt by you and other people affected by crises. Many humanitarian organizations are currently unable to access funds to deliver medical supplies, food and other assistance and protection. Humanitarian organizations have been forced to stop programmes, close offices and cut staff.

This follows two consecutive years in which the funding made available for humanitarian action globally decreased, which already required us to reduce and/or close services and programmes in many communities around the world.

Many humanitarian programmes are still able to continue their work with support from other donors, private foundations and of course your government, own diaspora, community and volunteer networks. However, the availability of humanitarian assistance may vary. Please check with humanitarian workers in your area for updates on specific assistance.

We anticipate increasingly challenging times ahead, and as we navigate this period, we
encourage you to continue engaging with us and with your community leaders to highlight your most urgent priorities and the potential risks that result from services and assistance being suspended, and to identify alternative sources of funding.

If you or your community face urgent needs, we encourage you to reach out to local humanitarian workers, state and community representatives, or designated support networks to explore available options.

Our priority is saving lives. The humanitarian community's commitments to the people who are most affected are set out clearly. As we face the challenges ahead, we are committed to listening to your concerns, identifying urgent needs, and exploring together possible ways to support your communities during this challenging time. We will continue to demand that principled humanitarian assistance is accountable to you.

We know in times of crisis that false information is easily spread and can cause real damage and confusion. It is important to question rumours or online media that might be trying to spread fake news. It is important to go to your community leaders or people you trust for credible information.

And we are committed to sharing updates with you on the future of the assistance and services you have been receiving, as soon as more information becomes available.