May 29, 2025 11:13 pm
Full News

Aid Suspension: A Warning Sign for Bangladesh

The US’s announcement to suspend aid activities globally has cast uncertainty over key projects in Bangladesh, including education, healthcare, food security, democracy, and good governance. The suspension has raised concerns about the thousands of Bangladeshi officials, employees, and beneficiaries dependent on nonprofit organizations funded by US aid. However, the US has decided to continue humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees, considering the crisis’s urgency.

Experts warn that if US aid does not resume after the 90-day suspension and review period, it could spell trouble for Bangladesh. Historically, when the US withdraws financial assistance from a country, other developed nations and international organizations often follow suit. This puts the Bangladeshi government in a challenging position to ensure the country is removed from the suspension list after the review period, leveraging its diplomatic ties with the US.

Kazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmad, economist and chairman of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), emphasized that the suspension impacts not only Bangladesh but also other countries worldwide. He added, “The real concern arises if US aid is reduced after the 90-day review. If the US cuts funding, other developed nations usually follow suit. Therefore, ensuring continued assistance must be a priority for Bangladesh.”

The suspension stems from an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump shortly after taking office, halting financial aid for 90 days across multiple countries. On Saturday, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the suspension of its aid programs in Bangladesh. USAID, which oversees US aid activities globally, issued letters to local implementing organizations, signed by Bryan Aaron, the agency’s acquisition and assistance oversight officer.

The letter instructed partners to halt or suspend all work under contracts, task orders, grants, cooperative agreements, or other forms of assistance. It also directed organizations to reduce expenditures from allocated funds and cease operations until further written notice. The letter cited President Trump’s executive order as the basis for the decision.

Annually, the US allocates billions of dollars in international aid. According to data, the US spent $52 billion on aid in 2020, $53 billion in 2021, $76 billion in 2022, $68 billion in 2023, and $39 billion in 2024. Bangladesh received $449 million in 2023 and 2024. US aid to Bangladesh has steadily increased since the influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in August 2017.

Asif Mohammad, a professor in the Department of Development Studies at Dhaka University, stressed the significance of the suspension, saying, “This aid is primarily spent on service delivery, human rights, and democracy. The suspension will have both direct and indirect impacts, with losses that are immeasurable, particularly for projects related to democracy and human rights. The entire country will feel the effects, from employees to beneficiaries.”

While no officials have commented publicly on the matter, several aid-receiving organizations have expressed concerns over the challenges they face in implementing projects without US funding. They noted that while the continuation of aid for Rohingya refugees will somewhat ease the crisis, the overall situation remains dire. Many NGOs, both local and international, depend heavily on US funding for Rohingya humanitarian efforts.

At a press conference yesterday, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Apurba Jahangir, stated, “The US has announced a 90-day suspension of financial aid globally. However, aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh will not be halted.”

Related News
IMF Approves Third Review of Sri Lanka’s $2.9bn Bailout
Elizabeth Warren Urges Ethics Oversight for Elon Musk in Trump Transition Role
Xi Jinping Warns of ‘No Winners’ in US-China Trade War Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration
Extension of Magistracy Powers for Military Officials: Coast Guard and BGB Included
Modi Meets Tulsi Upon Arriving in Washington
Navigating the Growing Risk of Naval Nuclear Deterrence and Cooperation Between India and Pakistan
Related Posts
MIT Shuts Down DEI Office Amid National Debate and Trump Administration Pressure
GOP Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Rename D.C. Metro as “Trump Train”
Kamala Harris’s 2028 Nomination Is Hers to Lose — and She’s Losing It
Trump Sees Major Wins in Latin America
SpaceX Starship Setbacks Raise Concerns Over NASA’s 2027 Moon Mission
Lashkar-e-Taiba Claims Role in Bangladesh Uprising, Raising Alarms Over Regional Security
More News

Tony Todd, Star of ‘Candyman’ and ‘Final Destination,’ Dies at 69

Tony Todd, the actor best known for playing the scary ghost in the Candyman horror movies, passed away on Wednesday at his home in Marina Del Rey, California. He was 69 years old. His death was confirmed by a representative, but the cause was not revealed. Tony Todd was a well-known actor in horror and […]

Anthony Mackie Clarifies Controversial Captain America Comments

Anthony Mackie has addressed the backlash surrounding his recent comments about Captain America, which caused a stir online earlier this week. While promoting the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World at a Disney event in Rome, Mackie remarked, “To me, Captain America represents a lot of different things, and I don’t think the term ‘America’ […]

Marvel Fans React to ‌‘Scary’ Villain in New Thunderbolts Trailer

Marvel Studios has released the latest Thunderbolts trailer online, following its debut during the Super Bowl, and it’s stirring up excitement among fans. The 36th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) flips the Avengers formula on its head by bringing together a group of anti-heroes, many of whom have seen better days. Set to […]

Over 21,000 Expatriates Arrested in Saudi Arabia

More than 21,000 expatriates have been arrested in Saudi Arabia for violating residency, labor, and border security laws, according to the country’s law enforcement authorities. Among them, around 10,000 expatriates have already been deported to their home countries. The Gulf News, an English daily in the United Arab Emirates, reported this on Sunday, citing a […]

Argentina’s President Javier Milei Gains Momentum with Key Victory in Buenos Aires Legislative Election

BUENOS AIRES, May 18 (Reuters) — Argentine President Javier Milei secured a critical political boost on Sunday as his endorsed candidates emerged victorious in a key legislative election in the capital city of Buenos Aires — a major symbolic and strategic win for his administration less than two years into his presidency. With over 99% […]

Manchester City In The Top Four By Celebrating 6 Goals

After many days, Manchester City saw that sharp form. They toyed with weak Ipswich Town. Pep Guardiola’s team returned to the fourth place in the league table by flooding the opponent with goals. Mateo Kovacic found the back of the net between Phil Foden’s brace in the first half. In the second half, Jeremy Doku, […]

Yunus ‘Usurer, Terrorist Leader’! Bangladesh in turmoil over girl’s rape case, Hasina criticizes government in late-night audio message

In a nearly 9-minute audio message, Sheikh Hasina expressed concerns about rising violence against women in Bangladesh. She claimed that Bangladesh is gradually falling behind in terms of women’s safety and other indicators. The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has raised her voice against the growing incidents of violence against women and rape […]

European Partners Urged to Develop Sanctions to Smash People-Smuggling Gangs

The UK is calling on European partners to replicate its world-first sanctions regime targeting organised immigration crime gangs, as Foreign Secretary David Lammy urges international action on the defining security threat of our time—irregular migration. At the Munich Security Conference, Lammy will press for sanctions aimed at people smuggling networks. The conference kicked off today […]

Helicopter and Plane Collision Near Washington, D.C.: 18 Bodies Recovered

A tragic midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet occurred near Reagan National Airport on Wednesday evening, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation. So far, 18 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, with no survivors found yet. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that […]

Vice President JD Vance to Visit Pituffik Space Base in Greenland for Arctic Security Briefing

The U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance will travel to Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on Friday to receive a high-level briefing on Arctic security concerns and engage with U.S. servicemembers stationed at the base. As the northernmost installation of the U.S. Department of Defense, Pituffik Space Base plays a critical […]