The United States has confirmed that it will maintain its humanitarian and development aid to Ethiopia, but under a newly restructured framework where the U.S. State Department will now oversee USAID operations directly.
According to a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, the change, effective July 1, 2025, is part of a broader aid reform plan initiated by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The goal is to streamline operations, reduce redundancy, improve accountability, and better align aid efforts with U.S. foreign policy and national security interests.
Despite the shift in oversight, the U.S. government reaffirmed its commitment to continuing key assistance programs in areas such as humanitarian response, food security, and global health. These will now be managed by specific bureaus within the State Department, with a continued focus on regionally tailored delivery.
In June, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga addressed concerns about previous aid suspensions. He noted that 89% of previously planned humanitarian assistance remains in place, and 77% of overall U.S. aid to Ethiopia continues. He emphasized the ongoing U.S. support for critical sectors including health, agriculture, and aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Ambassador Massinga also signaled a strategic shift toward greater private sector involvement, referencing partnerships with Ethiopian Airlines, Boeing, and support for infrastructure projects such as the proposed Bishoftu International Airport.
The announcement is intended to ease concerns over potential reductions in aid and reflects a continued long-term U.S. commitment to Ethiopia’s development and humanitarian priorities, even amid institutional changes.
