The Trump administration has terminated several of the last remaining humanitarian aid contracts in the Middle East, including food assistance programs in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria, according to U.S. and United Nations officials.
A senior USAID official confirmed that roughly 60 letters of contract termination were sent last week, targeting multiple partners — most notably the World Food Programme (WFP). The move cuts off vital support to millions facing food insecurity in some of the region’s most vulnerable zones.
“This is not a pause. These are cancellations,” said a U.S. official familiar with the decision, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Programs Terminated Across Three Key Countries
According to a United Nations representative who spoke to the Associated Press, the WFP received direct termination letters regarding its operations in Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. These programs represent a critical portion of the international food supply chain in refugee and post-conflict zones.
Key Cuts Include:
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Lebanon: Where WFP feeds 1 in 4 residents amid economic collapse
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Jordan: Home to over 600,000 registered Syrian refugees
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Syria: Still reeling from civil war, drought, and economic sanctions
Strategic Aid Shift or Political Signal?
While the administration has not publicly outlined its rationale, officials suggest the move is part of a broader restructuring of foreign assistance, aimed at prioritizing “domestic and security-related interests.” Critics, however, see it as a continuation of Trump’s 2017–2021 playbook of retrenching U.S. foreign aid as a lever of political pressure.
“This is a devastating signal to regional partners and humanitarian agencies,” said a senior UN humanitarian coordinator. “It weakens the last lifelines for millions.”
Diplomatic and Humanitarian Fallout
The decision comes at a time of heightened regional instability — from the Gaza crisis to rising food prices in North Africa. The abrupt nature of the cancellations also raises concerns about supply chain disruptions and operational handoffs that may now be impossible to coordinate.
Potential Impacts:
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Food insecurity spike in camps across northern Syria
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Increased migration pressure on EU-bordering nations
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Reduced U.S. leverage in future Middle East diplomacy
What’s Next?
Officials from USAID have not provided a public comment, but aid partners say they are seeking clarification on whether any transitional assistance or alternative U.S. funding pathways will be offered.
Meanwhile, the UN and WFP are reportedly engaging with European and Gulf donors to attempt emergency backfill for the cancelled funding, though timelines remain uncertain.
