TIRANA, JAN 30 – In his first month in office, US President Donald Trump paused nearly all foreign aid, freezing over $60 billion in international assistance. The move, based on an executive order, has left countries like Albania scrambling as projects ranging from arms deals to vital medicines are put on hold.
The US embassy in Tirana informed Albania’s highest institutions that all support and funding would stop immediately, pending a second review. This decision follows a sharp drop in US aid to Albania in 2024, with funding shrinking from $38.5 million in 2023 to just $18.5 million this year.
A significant portion of these funds was directed towards improving cybersecurity, with nearly $8.1 million allocated to protect against cyberattacks. US funds have also supported good governance initiatives, transparency, and disaster preparedness efforts. However, with the aid freeze, many ongoing projects are now at risk.
Albania now finds itself among the lowest-funded countries in the region, dropping from 10th to 11th in the US aid rankings. While the freeze reflects a broader shift in US foreign policy, Albania faces a growing challenge as international support dwindles.
It remains unclear how long the 90-day aid suspension will last, but its impact on Albania and other nations in need is already being felt.
