Trump’s decision to suspend USAID affects various programs in Morocco

President Donald Trump’s decision to review the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has begun to affect Morocco, with local associations and organizations that partner with the agency on various programs facing the consequences.

Numerous Moroccan associations and organizations working in areas such as rural development and participatory democracy have received notifications to suspend programs that USAID has long funded, according to civil sources, aligning with the new U.S. administration’s approach to soft power activities abroad.

Same sources told Hespress AR that several of these Moroccan organizations quickly informed their beneficiaries about the decision, announcing the suspension of programs that had been ongoing for years.

One institution near Marrakech began halting most of its activities at the start of the week, affecting young women who are interested in development and its relation to the agricultural sector.

“We were part of a 6-month program run by a Moroccan institution in partnership with USAID,” said an affected participant to Hespress AR, adding that “the organizers informed us that the program, which benefited many young people in sustainable farming, had to stop abruptly after receiving a notification from their American partners.”

She confirmed that other programs run by the Moroccan institution in collaboration with the same agency would also be terminated, particularly those coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service, which falls under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A representative from a Rabat-based NGO emphasized that “the suspension of USAID’s budget is already a reality, with notifications being sent to all partners working on specific programs, particularly in areas like participatory democracy and supporting civil society capacities.”

She noted that the situation goes beyond USAID itself. “It also affects U.S.-based NGOs closely tied to USAID and other organizations that provide international funding,” adding that 3 American organizations have postponed funding for our programs until a later time.”

Omar Assou, Director of the Youth of Tamdoult Association in Tata Province, confirmed that the decision was primarily a U.S. sovereign matter.

“The impact will certainly be significant for Moroccan organizations that rely entirely on USAID funding, but organizations with diversified funding sources will be less affected,” said Assou, recalling a similar situation years ago when German funding for development programs in Morocco was abruptly cut off.

He stressed that suspending USAID funding would have a considerable effect on several organizations and on the completion of previously planned initiatives.

The agency has been active in Morocco for years, funding numerous projects in partnership with civil society organizations Following the earthquake disaster. The agency, in coordination with UNICEF, announced an $8 million program last April to provide affected children and residents with safe drinking water and education.

USAID announced that starting Friday, February 7, 2025, all directly appointed agency staff worldwide would be placed on administrative leave, except for designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specially designated programs.

For staff currently stationed outside the U.S., USAID stated that it is coordinating with missions and the State Department to arrange travel back to the U.S. within 30 days, covering travel costs.

The agency added that it would consider case-by-case exceptions for extending return deadlines based on personal or family hardships, mobility or safety concerns, school calendar considerations for dependents, medical needs, pregnancy, and other valid reasons.