US State Department authorizes vital humanitarian aid to be provided to other countries

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who initially exempted only emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt from the aid pause, agreed Tuesday to at least temporarily keep spending money on humanitarian programs that provide life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter and subsistence assistance, according to a copy of a signed waiver obtained by The Associated Press. While some in the aid community expressed hope Rubio's move would rescue more of the programs that keep alive refugees, the gravely ill and others around the world, U.S.-funded operations of all kinds stepped up the pace of layoffs, furloughs and program shutdowns.

The State Department's initial directive drew criticism because it could disrupt the distribution of vaccines and food to countries in need.