# **Detailed SUMMARY of the Article "‘Pause’ in US aid," Dawn, February 7th, 2025**: The article highlights the far-reaching consequences of the Trump administration’s decision to halt all US foreign aid programs, particularly those funding crucial development and healthcare services for women and girls in poor countries, including Pakistan. The suspension of this aid is expected to severely impact approximately 1.7 million people in Pakistan, including 1.2 million Afghan refugees, as over 60 health facilities administered by the UNFPA face closure. The UNFPA has expressed deep concern, warning that millions of women and girls in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh will be at risk due to the lack of reproductive healthcare access. The agency requires over $308 million in 2025 to continue providing basic services. Additionally, President Trump’s decision includes a review of USAID, potentially leading to a long-term or permanent funding cut. This raises significant concerns about the sustainability of various projects in Pakistan, as the government lacks the financial capacity to immediately cover the funding shortfall. Other Western nations are also unlikely to step in to bridge the gap. However, the article argues that this crisis presents an opportunity for Pakistan to become self-reliant in healthcare and social services. While reallocating resources from other budget areas may be challenging, the government must prioritize funding for these critical services to protect vulnerable populations, particularly women and refugees. Ultimately, the article calls for responsible governance and decisive action to ensure the well-being of its citizens despite the loss of foreign aid. --- # **Easy/Short SUMMARY**: The article discusses how the Trump administration’s decision to halt US foreign aid will have severe consequences for Pakistan, particularly affecting 1.7 million people, including 1.2 million Afghan refugees. The closure of over 60 UNFPA-run health facilities will leave millions of women and girls without access to crucial reproductive healthcare. The suspension of USAID projects raises concerns about Pakistan’s ability to fund these services on its own. However, the article suggests that this could be an opportunity for the government to reduce dependence on foreign aid and increase its own healthcare spending to protect vulnerable populations. --- # **SOLUTIONS of The Problem**: ## **1. Increased Domestic Funding for Healthcare** The government should allocate more funds to healthcare services, ensuring that critical programs for women and refugees continue without foreign aid dependency. ## **2. Reallocation of Budgetary Resources** A portion of the budget from non-essential projects, including those proposed by lawmakers, should be redirected to sustain vital health services. ## **3. Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships** Engage with local and international NGOs, private organizations, and philanthropists to fill funding gaps and maintain healthcare services. ## **4. Alternative International Funding Sources** Seek financial assistance from other countries or international bodies like the European Union, the World Bank, or Islamic nations to sustain crucial development projects. ## **5. Community-Based Healthcare Initiatives** Encourage grassroots healthcare programs to provide basic medical services in remote and underserved areas, reducing reliance on large-scale foreign-funded projects. ## **6. Encouraging Local Philanthropy** Promote charitable contributions from wealthy individuals and businesses to fund health and social welfare initiatives. ## **7. Efficient Use of Existing Resources** Ensure transparency and efficiency in public spending, eliminating waste and corruption to maximize the impact of available resources. ## **8. Expansion of Health Insurance Programs** Introduce affordable health insurance schemes to help citizens access medical care without solely relying on government funding. ## **9. Focus on Preventive Healthcare** Invest in preventive healthcare measures like vaccinations and awareness campaigns to reduce the burden on the healthcare system. ## **10. Diplomatic Efforts to Restore Aid** Engage in diplomatic negotiations with the US to reconsider the aid suspension, especially for humanitarian and healthcare programs. --- # **IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the Article**: - The suspension of US foreign aid will impact 1.7 million people in Pakistan, including 1.2 million Afghan refugees. - Over 60 UNFPA-run health facilities will be closed, affecting access to reproductive healthcare. - The UNFPA requires $308 million in 2025 to continue providing basic healthcare services. - Pakistan’s government lacks the financial capacity to immediately replace the lost aid. - The Trump administration’s USAID review could lead to long-term or indefinite suspension of funding. --- # **MCQs from the Article**: ### 1. *How many people in Pakistan are expected to be affected by the US aid suspension?* A. 500,000 B. 1 million *C. 1.7 million* D. 2.5 million ### 2. *How many Afghan refugees in Pakistan are expected to lose access to healthcare due to the aid suspension?* A. 500,000 B. 800,000 C. 1 million *D. 1.2 million* ### 3. *Which organization runs the health facilities that are being closed due to the aid suspension?* A. WHO B. UNICEF C. Red Cross *D. UNFPA* ### 4. *What is the estimated funding requirement for UNFPA to continue basic services in 2025?* A. $200 million B. $250 million *C. $308 million* D. $400 million ### 5. *What does the article suggest Pakistan should do in response to the aid suspension?* A. Wait for the US to restore aid B. Reduce healthcare spending *C. Increase domestic funding and reduce reliance on foreign aid* D. Completely halt all healthcare programs --- # **VOCABULARY**: 1. **Suspend** (verb) (معطل کرنا): To temporarily stop or delay something. 2. **Reproductive Health** (noun) (تولیدی صحت): Medical services related to childbirth, contraception, and maternal care. 3. **Vulnerable** (adjective) (کمزور): Exposed to harm or risk. 4. **Humanitarian** (adjective) (انسانی فلاحی): Related to helping people in need. 5. **Dependency** (noun) (انحصار): Relying on something or someone for support. 6. **Allocation** (noun) (مختص کرنا): The process of distributing resources or funds. 7. **Philanthropy** (noun) (خیراتی کام): The practice of donating money for the welfare of others. 8. **Self-reliance** (noun) (خود انحصاری): The ability to rely on one’s own resources. 9. **Diplomatic** (adjective) (سفارتی): Related to international relations and negotiations. 10. **Intervention** (noun) (مداخلت): Taking action to improve a situation. --- 📢 **Attention Please!** We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now: 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y www.dawn.com ‘Pause’ in US aid Editorial 3 minutes Listen to article THE impact of the Trump administration’s decision to ‘pause’ all US foreign aid programmes, especially those funding development and lifesaving health services for women and girls, will be felt by millions in poor countries across the world, including Pakistan. The suspension of critical healthcare aid is estimated by the UN to affect 1.7m people in the country, including 1.2m Afghan refugees, many of whom would no longer be able to access necessary sexual and reproductive health services with the closure of over 60 facilities. These health facilities were being administered by the UNFPA, whose regional director expressed concern at the prospect of millions of women and girls facing life-threatening danger due to the lack of access to UNFPA services in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The UNFPA requires over $308m in 2025 to sustain even basic services in these countries. Since President Donald Trump has also ordered a review of USAID in order to scale down the agency through which foreign assistance is channelled, the implications of American aid suspension for several projects in the country are disturbing. Though the programmes have been halted pending a 90-day review, many fear that the suspension would be indefinite or at least last for several months. There is little possibility of the Pakistani authorities being able to immediately finance the affected health facilities or other USAID-sponsored schemes. The chances of other Western nations stepping in to fill the funding gap, at least in areas that focus on refugees and women, appear dim too. That said, Mr Trump’s decision to cut off aid may also offer an opportunity for the government to stop depending on foreign aid, at least for health and other areas in the social sector, and ramp up its budgetary allocations for initiatives directly linked to the well-being of its citizens. There is no doubt that, after years of reliance on US aid, Pakistan’s cash-strapped government will find it difficult to face the challenge. But it is time to step up and divert a small portion of resources from other schemes, say funds allocated for projects proposed by the lawmakers, to save the lives of thousands of young girls and women affected by the actions of the new US administration. That is what caring governments would do for their people. Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2025