Mon Dec 29 06:27:10 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a news article based on it:

Summary:

The United States, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has pledged $2 billion in humanitarian aid to the United Nations. This pledge is significantly smaller than previous U.S. contributions, reflecting the administration’s policy of slashing foreign assistance and demanding reforms within the UN. The aid will be funneled through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), led by Tom Fletcher, to ensure efficiency and align with U.S. foreign policy. The administration argues this approach will deliver more effective aid with fewer resources and reduce bureaucratic overhead. Critics are concerned that these cuts will exacerbate global crises and harm U.S. influence. The initiative is part of a broader push for UN reform, pressuring agencies to “adapt, shrink, or die.”

News Article:

U.S. Pledges $2 Billion in Humanitarian Aid Amidst Foreign Assistance Cuts

Geneva, December 29, 2025 – The United States has announced a $2 billion pledge for UN humanitarian aid, signaling a continued, albeit reduced, commitment to global assistance. The announcement comes amidst ongoing cuts to U.S. foreign aid under President Donald Trump’s administration, which is also demanding sweeping reforms within the United Nations.

The $2 billion contribution is significantly lower than the $8-$10 billion in voluntary contributions the US has contributed in the past, which sometimes totalled as much as $17 billion. The reduction reflects the administration’s emphasis on efficiency and accountability within the UN system.

The pledged funds will be managed through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), led by Tom Fletcher. This centralized approach aims to streamline aid delivery and ensure that assistance aligns with U.S. foreign policy priorities. The move is described by U.S. officials as a “humanitarian reset” designed to reduce bureaucratic overhead and improve the effectiveness of aid spending.

“This humanitarian reset at the United Nations should deliver more aid with fewer tax dollars — providing more focused, results-driven assistance aligned with U.S foreign policy,” said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz.

The administration is also pressuring individual UN agencies to “adapt, shrink, or die,” underscoring its commitment to reform.

Critics argue that these aid cuts will have devastating consequences, exacerbating global crises like famine, displacement, and disease, and ultimately harming U.S. influence. Some countries are noticeably left out of the proposed aid program, like Afghanistan, one of the most desperate countries in the world.

While U.S. officials maintain that the $2 billion pledge demonstrates the nation’s continued commitment to humanitarian assistance, the move highlights a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and its relationship with the United Nations.

The OCHA will initially focus funding on 17 countries, including Bangladesh, Congo, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine.

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