ActionAid USA welcomes the federal court’s decision to block the Trump administration’s actions to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This ruling is a critical step in protecting life-saving foreign aid and ensuring that vital programs continue reaching the communities that need them most.
USAID has long played a key role in global efforts to fight poverty, respond to humanitarian crises, and support sustainable development. Freezing congressionally-appropriated funds and dismantling USAID has put millions of lives at risk, especially in communities already facing conflict, displacement, and climate disasters.
Niranjali Amerasinghe, Executive Director of ActionAid USA, said:
“This ruling is a necessary safeguard against an unlawful and reckless attempt to gut U.S. foreign aid. USAID is the primary channel for getting US development and humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations. The effort to shut it down without any contingencies in place makes it nearly impossible carry out congressionally-approved funding. This is not just illegal — it is deepening suffering for millions of people around the world.”
While this ruling is an important victory, the reality is that most of the funding remains frozen, and more than 80% of USAID contracts have been cancelled. That’s why ActionAid USA joined UUSC and RESULTS in filing an amicus brief supporting the lawsuit brought by Oxfam and two labor unions. We are standing with our partners to challenge this administration’s attack on foreign aid and demand the restoration of U.S. foreign assistance
This is about more than just one agency — it’s about defending the right of communities worldwide to access the aid and support they need. We urge policymakers and the public to hold this administration accountable and reject further attempts to dismantle critical international aid programs.
ENDS
For media requests, please email christal.james@actionaid.org or call 7046659743.
About ActionAid
ActionAid is a global federation working with more than 41 million people living in more than 71 countries, including some of the world’s poorest countries. We want to see a just, fair, and sustainable world in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity and freedom from poverty and oppression. We work to achieve social justice and gender equality and to eradicate poverty, including by shifting power to local organizations and movements.