Trump's aid freeze threatens critical programs in Liberia

US President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily suspend a significant portion of foreign assistance under his "America First" initiative may have serious repercussions on critical programs in Liberia, including health, education and agriculture.

Senators in Liberia voiced their concerns over the potential impacts of the suspension, which could undermine the country's reliance on foreign aid for development.

The United States, through the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI), has been a key partner in Liberia's malaria response for over a decade, providing $14 million annually to support critical interventions. Before the suspension, PMI/USAID had increased its planned funding for 2025 to $15 million.

According to the Liberia Malaria Indicator Survey of 2020, malaria prevalence in the country had decreased to approximately 10 to 13 percent as a result of US funding.

Edwin M. Snowne, senate representative to the ECOWAS Parliament, said that the suspension of US funds is expected to deal a blow to malaria prevention and control Liberia.

“The withdrawal of these funds is expected to create a severe shortage of malaria drugs and commodities in health facilities nationwide, putting millions of Liberians, particularly pregnant women and children under five, at risk”, Senator Snowne said.

Additionally, before the suspension, USAID had been actively engaged in essential education and health programs in Liberia.

The Starks Foundation, a prominent civil society organization in the fight against malaria, also expressed deep concern, highlighting that the aid freeze could derail the country's progress in reducing malaria prevalence.