The United States has sent a set of 36 questions to United Nations aid organizations, inquiring about any "anti-American" beliefs or associations they might have. This questionnaire, distributed by the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB), includes a question about potential connections to communism.
Major humanitarian groups, such as the UN Refugee Agency and the International Committee of the Red Cross, have received this form. The initiative is part of a broader cost-reduction strategy across the US government, spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, which has resulted in significant cuts to foreign aid.
UN agencies are concerned that this move signals a potential US withdrawal from humanitarian efforts or even from the UN altogether. The US had already exited the World Health Organization at the start of President Donald Trump's second term. Recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the termination of most USAID programs.
Surveys suggest that many Americans feel the country spends excessively on foreign aid. Although the US allocates a smaller percentage of its GDP to aid compared to European nations, its large economy means it still provides 40% of global humanitarian funding. Many UN agencies receiving the questionnaire are funded not only by USAID but also directly by the US government.
One question asks organizations to confirm they do not collaborate with groups linked to communist, socialist, or totalitarian parties, or those with anti-American views. Another question seeks assurance that they do not receive funding from China, Russia, Cuba, or Iran, despite these countries being UN member states that contribute to major humanitarian agencies.
Additional questions require agencies to verify that their projects do not include elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or climate change initiatives. This poses challenges for organizations like Unicef, which promotes equal educational access for girls, and the World Food Programme, which aids communities in adapting to climate-resilient agriculture to prevent famine.
Professor Karl Blanchet from Geneva University's Centre for Humanitarian Studies suggests that these agencies are being set up to fail, indicating a likely US withdrawal from the UN system. He describes the situation as a clash between multilateralism and an "America first" approach.
Aid workers involved in complex humanitarian operations express frustration, likening the questions to a no-win situation. The UN agencies argue that the questionnaire overlooks their fundamental principles of neutrality and impartiality, which prioritize helping those in need regardless of political affiliations.
The UN Human Rights office has opted not to complete the form, citing the restrictive nature of the yes/no questions and their inapplicability to the UN. Instead, they provided detailed responses via email where possible.
Some questions also touch on the economic priorities of the Trump administration, such as projects that might impact US supply chains or the acquisition of rare earth minerals. The BBC has reached out to the OMB and US missions at the UN in New York and Geneva for comments.