The United States announced today its pledge of one billion dollars in humanitarian aid to the United Nations. This comes as the administration of President Donald Trump continues to cut US foreign assistance, while UN agencies warn of the need to 'adapt, shrink or perish' in the new financial reality. Although this amount represents only a small fraction of what the US contributed in the past, the administration considers it generous and believes it will maintain the United States' position as the largest donor of humanitarian aid in the world. This pledge establishes a comprehensive fund through which money will be distributed to individual agencies and priorities. It is a key part of US demands for radical changes to the international organization, demands that have raised concerns among many humanitarian workers and have led to sharp cuts in programs and services.
