The U.S. State Department is halting global programs for demining unexploded ordnance for at least three months. This decision could impact safety in regions where such operations were actively conducted.
This information was shared in an email from Karen Chandler, head of the Office of Weapons Reduction, according to RBK-Ukraine citing The New York Times.
The U.S. State Department has unexpectedly announced a temporary suspension of funding for humanitarian demining programs worldwide.
The message states that the cessation of operations is "immediate" and will last for at least three months. This move is attributed to an executive order from President Donald Trump, which mandates a reassessment of U.S. foreign aid to focus on national interest priorities.
However, the publication noted that the presence of unexploded ordnance poses a serious threat to both local residents and American military personnel.
NYT highlighted that, according to the State Department, such programs reduce fatalities, aid in agricultural recovery, and ensure food security. This issue is particularly pressing for Ukraine, where the war has left vast areas mined.
Further clarifications regarding the organization's next steps will be provided on Monday.
It is worth noting that on his first day in office, Trump began by signing a series of executive orders. These pertained to energy, immigration policy, and national security. He also revoked several decisions made by the Joe Biden administration.
More details on this can be found in the RBK-Ukraine article.