Indonesia's Health Minister Says USAID Funds on Hold, Not Terminated

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated that the aid from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has not been terminated but is put on hold.

"So, we did receive official communication, this is on hold for now. It does not mean that it is completely terminated," he said when met at the Directorate General of Health Services of the Ministry of Health, South Jakarta, on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

USAID grants an estimated US$100 million, or nearly Rp1 trillion, in aid to Indonesia. According to Budi, the assistance is not directly distributed to the Ministry of Health but to third parties.

"This shortfall will definitely have an impact. But we also have other donor countries," he said.

Currently, they are trying to find funding donors from other countries to cover the shortfalls. "I went to Australia recently, and we also secured a commitment of 130 million Australian dollars. Even though Australian dollars and US dollars are different in value. But at least we have obtained that commitment," he said.

As is known, President Donald Trump instructed the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In an announcement on its website on Tuesday night, USAID stated that almost all staff would be put on administrative leave on Friday night. Earlier that day, all USAID foreign missions were instructed to close, and all staff were called back on Friday.

The USAID closure affects all foreign missions, including Indonesia. All staff were asked to return to the US. According to the official institution's website, on Friday, February 7, 2025, all personnel directly employed by USAID will be placed on administrative leave globally.

Except for personnel appointed to be responsible for critical functions, core leadership, and specifically designated programs. "Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6," as quoted from the official statement on usaid.gov, Wednesday, February 5.

Currently stationed outside the United States, USAID personnel are coordinating with representative offices and the Department of State. USAID will arrange and fund staff return travel to the United States within 30 days and arrange non-critical contract terminations.

The agency will consider exemptions on a case-by-case basis and extend return travel based on personal or family difficulties, mobility or safety issues, or other reasons. For example, exemptions may be considered based on the time of a child's school year, personal or family medical needs, pregnancy, and other reasons.

Ilona Estherina contributed to the writing of this article.

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