USG Aid Must Continue to Be a Lifeline of Hope
February 3, 2025
SAMS recognizes the U.S. Government’s (USG) right to review its foreign assistance programs to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and coordination with global partners. We all strive to improve. However, the USG’s recent decision to pause most aid during this review is putting lives at risk and triggering a cascade of detrimental global consequences—including harm to America’s own reputation.
On January 24, SAMS and many other humanitarian organizations received stop-work orders on USG-funded programs designed to save lives, alleviate suffering, and prevent global health crises. Since then, the USG has asked some aid groups to determine on their own whether their work constitutes life-saving assistance—leaving them to proceed at their own financial risk. Most organizations lack the resources to shoulder this burden, and many critical interventions do not fit neatly into a narrow “life-saving” category.
A responsible review of U.S. foreign assistance should not come at the cost of halting critical aid. In fact, continuing aid during the review process would allow for a clearer assessment of program effectiveness. The stakes are too high to pause assistance for even a single day—let alone for the proposed three months. To illustrate: The January 24 stop-work order would have meant unplugging incubators in our maternity ward in a war-torn region. We refused to let that happen, but it forced us to absorb the unexpected cost of keeping that ward running.
For 13 years, the USG has stood with SAMS and the Syrian people. When Syrian and Russian airstrikes targeted our hospitals—killing 62 of our colleagues and injuring hundreds more—USG aid was there. When our staff were forced to evacuate clinics time and again to escape the shifting front lines, USG support never wavered.
After the devastating 2023 earthquake, USG officials provided funding to help survivors and comfort those mourning 55,000 lost lives. They stood by our 2,500 staff members who—despite being left homeless and traumatized—rushed to save neighbors trapped beneath the rubble. In the face of every displacement, every epidemic, and every threat—whether from terrorist groups or the Syrian government—the USG listened, facilitated coordination, and provided essential support.
While it may be difficult to draw a direct line between this decade-long assistance and the liberation of Syria from the Assad regime in December, USG support undeniably played a role. It helped Syrian communities endure relentless attacks on hospitals, schools, and public infrastructure—tactics meant to break their spirits. It bolstered resilience against terrorist groups like ISIS and enabled Syrians to withstand despair, disease, and displacement. The transformation of Syria in recent weeks has created a safer, more stable Middle East, laying the groundwork for even greater progress.
Without USG support throughout the Syrian war, where would we be today? Would Syrians from all walks of life be coming together to discuss a stronger healthcare system for all? Would Syria be experiencing newfound stability and economic hope? Would over 7 million Syrian refugees, who once saw return as impossible, now be considering going home?
The American taxpayer contributed to something profoundly good. Very good. U.S. aid not only saved lives—it was a catalyst for stability in the region. This foundation of peace and coexistence will ultimately allow the U.S. to focus more on its needs at home. In the long run, it will save American taxpayers money—while preserving America’s global standing. And that is truly priceless.
