NEW YORK – The administration of US President Donald Trump intends to reduce foreign aid by another USD5 billion, including funds allocated for Ukraine, media reports said.

Reports said USD3.2 billion of the reductions will come from the US Agency for International Development (USAID), with the remainder drawn from other State Department accounts.

Among the targeted funds was USD1.5 million earmarked for promoting Ukrainian women’s art.

The cuts also affect USD24.6 million in climate change programs in Honduras, USD3.9 million for LGBT initiatives in the former Yugoslavia, and USD2.7 million for the South African Democracy Support Fund, which the report said had supported platforms accused of inciting racial division.

In addition, USD838 million previously allocated to United Nations peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic will be withdrawn.

That amount included USD11 million for armored vehicles for Uruguayan forces, USD4 million for a training center in Zambia, and USD3 million for barracks for Kazakh peacekeepers.

The move follows the Trump administration’s suspension of USAID operations on Feb. 3.

On March 10, the Secretary of State, serving as interim head of the agency, announced that 83 percent of USAID programs had been terminated following a review.

Ukraine

Ukraine is a sovereign Eastern European nation with a rich history dating back to the medieval state of Kyivan Rus’, which is considered a foundational predecessor for both Ukraine and Russia. It has endured centuries of foreign rule before declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The country is renowned for its Orthodox Christian monasteries, Cossack heritage, and fertile black soil steppes.

Honduras

Honduras is a Central American nation with a rich history rooted in the ancient Maya civilization, evidenced by the magnificent ruins of Copán. It gained independence from Spain in 1821 and is known for its diverse natural beauty, including rainforests and the Caribbean coast. The country’s name means “depths” in Spanish, a reference to the deep coastal waters.

Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia was a country in Southeast Europe that existed for most of the 20th century, first as a kingdom founded in 1918 and later as a socialist federation under Josip Broz Tito after World War II. It was a multi-ethnic state composed of six republics, which dissolved amid a series of brutal wars and ethnic conflicts in the 1990s.

South Africa

South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of the African continent, known for its diverse landscapes and multicultural society. Its modern history is profoundly shaped by colonialism and the 20th-century system of apartheid, a period of institutionalized racial segregation that ended with its first democratic elections in 1994. Today, it is a vibrant nation often called the “Rainbow Nation” for its diversity and is famed for sites like Robben Island and Table Mountain.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a vast country in Central Africa, historically known as the Congo Free State, a personal colony of King Leopold II of Belgium notorious for its brutal exploitation, before becoming the Belgian Congo. It gained independence in 1960 and has since endured periods of conflict and political instability, while also being home to incredible natural resources and biodiversity, including the Congo Basin rainforest.

Central African Republic

The Central African Republic is a landlocked nation in Central Africa, known for its rich biodiversity and history as the center of several historic empires and the French colony of Ubangi-Shari. It gained independence in 1960 but has since been plagued by prolonged periods of political instability and conflict. Culturally, it is home to diverse ethnic groups and is renowned for its traditional music and the Boali Waterfalls.

Uruguay

Uruguay is a South American nation known for its progressive social policies and stable democracy, emerging from a history of Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule before gaining independence in 1828. Its culture is strongly influenced by European immigration, particularly from Italy and Spain, and is famous for its traditional gaucho (cowboy) heritage, tango music, and mate tea drinking. Notable cultural sites include the historic quarter of its capital, Colonia del Sacramento, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa, known for its rugged terrain, diverse wildlife, and the spectacular Victoria Falls. Historically, the region was home to various Bantu-speaking kingdoms before becoming the British protectorate of Northern Rhodesia, gaining independence in 1964. Its culture is rich with traditional ceremonies, music, and art that reflect its numerous ethnic groups.