Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for ensuring the continuation of USAID support to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh despite the recent executive order suspending US aid to all countries for 90 days.

The assurance was confirmed during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy by Deputy Press Secretary Apurba Jahangir. He highlighted that nutrition assistance provided by USAID to the Rohingyas, in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), would remain unaffected.

Meeting with US Embassy
High Representative for the Rohingya crisis, Khalilur Rahman, met with US Embassy officials earlier on Sunday to discuss the implications of the executive order. The US government has been a major contributor to the Rohingya crisis response, providing nearly $2.4 billion since August 2017, including close to $2 billion in Bangladesh.

Executive Order Overview
On January 20, President Trump signed an executive order halting all US foreign development assistance programs for 90 days to review their efficiency and alignment with US foreign policy. The order applies globally and is not country-specific, clarified Md Touhid Hossain, Foreign Affairs Adviser.
USAID has since issued an "Immediate Stop Work Order" to its implementing partners worldwide. Despite this, programs for the Rohingyas and their host communities in Bangladesh will continue, as confirmed by the Chief Adviser’s press wing.
Aid Suspension Implications
The order directs department and agency heads to pause new obligations and disbursements of foreign assistance funds during the 90-day review. However, programs deemed essential or aligned with US interests, such as military aid to Egypt and Israel, have received waivers. Specific humanitarian programs, such as those supporting the Rohingyas, are also expected to proceed with minimal disruption.
Tony Michael Gomes, Communications Director of Care Bangladesh, a USAID partner, confirmed receiving the stop-work order but noted that certain humanitarian initiatives might remain operational following reviews.
 

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