WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has approved the release of $5.3 billion in previously frozen foreign aid, primarily directed toward security and counternarcotics programs, with only limited humanitarian relief, according to a list of exemptions reviewed by Reuters.
The Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, which works to prevent the spread of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, received 17 exemptions totaling over $30.4 million.
Additionally, $397 million was allocated for a U.S.-backed program in Pakistan to monitor the use of American-made F-16 fighter jets, ensuring they are employed for counterterrorism operations rather than against India, a congressional aide confirmed.
President Donald Trump had imposed a 90-day freeze on foreign aid shortly after taking office on January 20, halting funds for initiatives ranging from food aid to disaster relief. This move prompted U.S. officials and humanitarian groups to seek exemptions to maintain critical programs.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio granted waivers in late January for military aid to key allies like Israel and Egypt, as well as for life-saving humanitarian programs. However, sources indicate that few humanitarian exemptions have been approved.
Reuters obtained a list of 243 additional exemptions approved by February 13, totaling $5.3 billion. The bulk of these funds—over $4.1 billion—were allocated to the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which oversees military assistance and arms sales.
Other exemptions aligned with Trump’s immigration and anti-drug policies, including $293 million allocated to the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration. These funds support databases to track migrants, identify potential threats, and share biometric data.
Despite the security-focused exemptions, USAID, the primary agency for U.S. humanitarian aid, received less than $100 million—far below its pre-freeze annual budget of approximately $40 billion. Among the approved humanitarian exemptions were $78 million for non-food aid in Gaza and $56 million for the Red Cross to support the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
Funding for some of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, including Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Afghanistan, appeared to remain frozen.
Other major security-related exemptions included $870 million for Taiwan, $336 million for modernizing Philippine security forces, and $21.5 million for armored gear for Ukraine’s national police and border security.
One of the largest non-security-related exemptions was $500 million for PEPFAR, the U.S. initiative combating HIV/AIDS, which primarily provides healthcare support in Africa. This was significantly lower than PEPFAR’s $6.5 billion annual budget in 2024.
The exemptions reflect the White House’s emphasis on prioritizing national security over foreign humanitarian assistance.
