USAID Suspension Impacts Critical Sectors in Cambodia
The suspension of U.S. foreign aid under the Trump administration has had a profound impact on Cambodia, particularly in sectors critical to the country's development and humanitarian efforts. USAID has funded projects in Cambodia that support healthcare, economic development, education, and democracy, with many of these initiatives managed through small NGOs closely working with local communities. The freeze is impacting long-standing initiatives, such as the country’s mine-clearance operations, which have received around $10 million annually from the U.S. government. Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, and U.S. funding has been crucial in clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) from past conflicts. Cambodian officials are urging the U.S. government to reverse the freeze to prevent further casualties and setbacks in achieving the country’s goal of being mine-free by 2025.
