This isn’t the time to stop aid, Yunus tells US after fund freeze

Bangladesh needs US support during this crucial period of rebuilding, reforms, and reconstruction, he says

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has sought continued support from the United States for the country's key projects and reforms.

"Whatever happens to USAID, Bangladesh needs US assistance at this critical time of reconstruction, reform, and rebuilding. This isn't the ‘time to stop it’," he said during a meeting with Tracey Ann Jacobson, the new charge d'affaires of the US Embassy in Bangladesh, at the State Guest House Jamuna on Tuesday.

They discussed issues of mutual interest and the fallout of the US decision to freeze the work of USAID across the globe, according to the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, or BSS.

Yunus and Jacobson also discussed the reform agenda of the interim government, the Rohingya crisis, migration, and the country's law and order situation.

The chief advisor raised concerns over the US decision to freeze aid to other key projects in Bangladesh, including the life-saving efforts of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, or icddr,b, one of the world's renowned health research institutes.

He highlighted the role the icddr,b, played in reducing deaths from diarrhoea and cholera to almost zero in Bangladesh and in countries such as Haiti in the Caribbean.

US President Donald Trump has suspended all foreign aid for 90 days just after the power transition, threatening billions of dollars in funding for various global programmes.

The Trump administration will set standards in February to review whether US aid abroad is "consistent with President Trump's foreign policy." After the review, a decision will be made on whether to continue, modify, or terminate the assistance programme.

USAID is the world's largest relief agency, with the bulk of its budget spent on health initiatives. Two-thirds of the agency's 10,000 employees work outside the United States.

Trump claimed USAID is not able to "properly" use the money of the American people."

The decision to suspend the aid is a big blow to the countries, which has also affected Bangladesh.

The icddr,b has said it will gradually lay off over 100 officers and employees working on projects funded by the US.

However, the chief advisor thanked the US administration for continuing humanitarian aid to the one million Rohingya refugees now living in Bangladesh.

"The US assistance is the most crucial aid to the Rohingya refugees," he said.

He also highlighted his recent moves to form a Consensus Commission and, under its auspices, to inaugurate dialogue with the political parties of the country.

"Once we have reached consensus over the reforms, the political parties will sign a July Charter to implement them," Yunus said.

Jacobson stressed that elections for a new government should be free, fair, and inclusive. She also enquired about the “Operation Devil's Hunt”, recently launched by the country's security forces.

Yunus said he has called for “reconciliation” in Bangladeshi society, urging people to break the cycle of retribution and to create the grounds for peace and harmony in the country.