The Liberian Senate has taken immediate action in response to the freeze of USAID funding, directing its committees to work with relevant agencies to find solutions. This freeze is attributed to President Trump’s policy, mandating a review of foreign assistance. The suspension poses serious challenges for Liberia’s economy and ongoing development projects, as emphasized by key Senators and local leaders.
The Liberian Senate has swiftly responded to the suspension of USAID funding by mandating its Committees on Ways, Means, Finance and Development Planning, Foreign Affairs, and Agriculture to collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies to explore solutions moving forward. The Senate emphasizes the urgent need to reassess the national budget and development financing strategies to maintain essential programs vital for ordinary citizens’ welfare.
This decision follows a joint communication from Senators Amara Konneh, Abraham Darius Dillon, Augustine Chea, and Gbehzongar Findley, who highlighted the importance of reevaluating Liberia’s budgetary framework. They called for immediate reassessment of allocations over the next four years, responding to the financial gap created by the U.S. government’s actions following the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
The funding freeze, according to reports, stems from an internal memo dispatched to U.S. officials and embassies, including Liberia, instructing a cessation of nearly all existing foreign assistance along with a pause on new aid. Brenda Moore, the Executive Director of the Kids’ Educational Engagement Project, remarked on the economic and developmental repercussions caused by the suspension of aid.
“The suspension of USAID funding will put the government under pressure to find alternatives to the existing programs and projects,” Moore indicated. She elaborated that discontinuing these projects would incur restart costs not accounted for in current budgets, straining resources and challenging the government to sustain progress and livelihoods.
The suspension of aid aligns with President Trump’s “America First” initiative, which halts billions in foreign assistance pending a comprehensive 90-day review by the U.S. State Department, indicating broader implications for international aid and development initiatives.
In conclusion, the Liberian Senate’s proactive measures reflect a critical response to the suspension of USAID funding, emphasizing the need for an urgent reassessment of the national budget. The suspension, part of a broader U.S. policy shift, poses significant challenges for Liberia’s economy and development programs, necessitating alternative strategies to mitigate its impact on the livelihoods of the population.
Original Source: globalsouthworld.com
