ITF suspends demining projects due to US foreign aid freeze

ITF Enhancing Human Security, the Slovenian-run fund for demining and post-conflict assistance to victims, has had to suspend a number of projects as a direct result of the freeze on US foreign aid, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

US President Donald Trump issued an executive order shortly after taking office, suspending US foreign development assistance for 90 days for an "assessment of programmatic efficiencies and consistency with US foreign policy."

The measure has affected numerous humanitarian organisations worldwide, including ITF, for which the US is the biggest donor. The organisation told the Slovenian Press Agency that a number of projects funded by US donations have been halted since 24 January.

Due to the freeze, ITF has halted projects in Afghanistan, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Georgia, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Serbia and Ukraine. These projects include humanitarian demining, the destruction of outdated and dangerous ammunition, and the disposal of conventional weapons.

"The US funding freeze means a temporary suspension of all activities, which directly affects the safety of aid recipients - as these activities are key to reducing the risks posed by explosive remnants of war," ITF explained.

The non-profit noted that the uncertainty over future steps is making it difficult to plan and implement activities, which has the greatest impact on those whose lives depend on these programmes.

ITF remains in contact with the US Department of State and is stressing that ensuring the continuation of key activities through US donations remains their top priority.

Last year, the US donated US$9.8 million for projects carried out by ITF. Since the fund's creation in 1998, the United States has donated US$267.6 million, show data published on ITF's website.

Projects carried out with the support of other donors are proceeding smoothly, the organisation said.