The abrupt suspension of U.S. foreign aid under the Trump administration has sent shockwaves across Lebanon, halting critical development programs and leaving thousands of beneficiaries in uncertainty. The decision follows President Donald Trump’s executive order imposing a 90-day freeze on nearly all U.S. foreign assistance, pending a review of its alignment with White House policies.

USAID, which has provided over $1.3 billion in aid to Lebanon, plays a pivotal role in sectors such as education, agriculture, and infrastructure. This Is Beirut website cited a source close to the agency as saying that “all development programs, across all sectors, have been put on hold since January 24.”

This sudden halt has already affected thousands of Lebanese citizens, including students whose scholarships were abruptly suspended.

“No directives have been issued regarding the operation of the institution or the programs it funds. For now, beneficiaries have been informed of the suspension of aid until further notice,” the source added. With the agency’s website inaccessible and its employees ordered to stay home, there is little clarity on the future of ongoing projects.

USAID has funded scholarships and educational initiatives in Lebanon for over two decades, benefiting around 10,000 students and facilitating school renovations for 87,000 others. At the higher education level, more than 1,300 university students have received financial support from the agency since 2010. However, with funding frozen, universities now face the difficult task of determining how to support students who depended on USAID scholarships.

“Even previously placed orders for equipment can no longer be paid for or received,” the source explained. The uncertainty has left many students fearing for their academic future.

Lebanon’s agricultural sector, which has been heavily reliant on USAID support, is also feeling the impact. In October 2024, USAID launched a five-year, $10 million project aimed at revitalizing local agriculture. Over the past decade, the agency has invested more than $80 million in Lebanon’s agricultural development, benefiting more than 40,000 rural households and mobilizing over $40 million in private sector investments.

With the funding freeze, farmers and agribusinesses who depended on USAID grants and technical assistance now face an uncertain future.

“This is not just about money—it’s about livelihoods,” a stakeholder in the agricultural sector told This Is Beirut.

President Trump’s executive order mandates a 90-day review of USAID’s future, with a final decision expected by April 20.