Samaritan’s Purse Receives $19 Million Reimbursement Following Supreme Court Ruling
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has reimbursed the Evangelical humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse with $19 million. This decision came after the U.S. Supreme Court mandated the unfreezing of $2 billion in foreign aid, previously halted during the early days of former President Donald Trump’s second term.
Samaritan’s Purse, based in North Carolina, confirmed the receipt of the funds, which were initially paused in January. The aid had been allocated for services including food and medical care in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan. This funding marks the continuation of a long-standing partnership with USAID, which began in 1994 in response to the Rwandan genocide.
In a statement shared with Ministry Watch, Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse, indicated that the organization is open to future collaborations with USAID. “If the U.S. State Department continues to provide funds for emergency food and medicine, we will continue to consider working with them on a case-by-case basis, as we have done for more than 30 years,” he stated.
Despite the reimbursement, President Trump had pushed for significant reductions in USAID funding, citing instances of what was perceived as wasteful spending. The White House highlighted examples such as expenditures to promote diversity in Serbia and funds for controversial social initiatives in Guatemala and Syria. These cuts reportedly led to a 92% reduction in foreign assistance grants and contracts by USAID and the State Department.
Critics of the cuts, including various Christian nonprofits, argued that the financial reductions jeopardized essential programs benefiting vulnerable international communities.
The Supreme Court’s decision, a narrow 5-4 unsigned opinion, upheld a lower court’s ruling that opposed the Trump administration’s request to halt the reimbursement funds.
Graham, known for his support of Trump’s policies and participation in his inauguration ceremonies, commented on the funding cuts, emphasizing that Samaritan’s Purse operates independently of government funding. Less than 5% of its 2024 budget, he noted, was sourced from government grants.
Graham added, “I think it’s a good thing for the government to assess and reexamine the various programs that the U.S. is funding around the world. We trust that the new leadership will analyze all of the information and make good decisions.” He further encouraged the continuation of life-saving aid such as food and medicine, reaffirming that Samaritan’s Purse remains committed to its global humanitarian efforts.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
