Quick Read: Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) regrets to inform that we, for the first time in our history, will have to suspend ongoing and urgent humanitarian work for hundreds of thousands of people in nearly 20 countries affected by wars, disasters, and displacement. These dramatic measures come in response to the stop, partial suspension, or lack of reimbursement of United States funding for our global humanitarian operations.
Humanitarian Efforts Halted After U.S. Aid Suspension
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) announced on Monday that it will suspend humanitarian operations in nearly 20 countries. This decision follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order freezing foreign aid worldwide upon taking office on January 20.
Impact on NRC Funding and Global Aid
NRC, a leading non-governmental organization, reported that nearly 20% of its funding in 2024—amounting to approximately $150 million—came from the United States. This funding supported critical aid for 1.6 million people globally.
“In our 79-year history, we have never experienced such an abrupt discontinuation of aid funding from any of our donor nations, inter-governmental organizations, or private agencies,” NRC stated.
Severe Consequences for Crisis-Affected Communities
The suspension of aid is already having devastating effects on communities in crisis.
- Ukraine: NRC was forced to cancel its planned February distribution of emergency aid to 57,000 people along the front lines.
- Burkina Faso: Clean water supply for 300,000 people in the blockaded city of Djibo is at risk.
- Sudan: Nearly 500 bakeries in Darfur, which provide food for hundreds of thousands, may lose funding.
Additionally, NRC has begun laying off staff worldwide due to funding uncertainties.
USAID Workforce and Program Exemptions
The Trump administration also announced that all directly hired employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) would be placed on leave, and thousands of overseas personnel recalled.
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the administration would work with USAID to identify programs eligible for exemptions from the stop-work orders. However, NRC highlighted that without resumed payments for work completed before the pause, it would be unable to benefit from these waivers.
Urgent Call for Immediate Action
“We currently have millions of dollars in outstanding payment requests to the U.S. government,” NRC stated. “Without an immediate solution, we may be forced to halt U.S.-funded lifesaving humanitarian programs by the end of February.”
The NRC continues to urge swift action from the U.S. government to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the affected regions.
