U.S. State Department pledges $2 billion for faith-based global aid

The U.S. Department of State has announced a nearly $2 billion partnership with faith-based and community organizations to support global health and humanitarian efforts. This initiative, part of the ‘America First Global Health Strategy,’ marks the largest allocation of U.S. global health foreign assistance to faith-based groups in over two decades.

Under the strategy, up to $850 million will be distributed over five years to organizations such as World Vision, Compassion International, and Samaritan’s Purse. This funding is intended to strengthen over 2,500 faith-based hospitals, clinics, and community hubs across 17 countries, while also providing training and supplies for more than 30,000 community health workers.

An additional $1.4 billion is designated to support life-saving health services through faith and community-based facilities in more than 20 countries. The shift in strategy follows significant cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and aims to move away from broad funding toward direct partnerships that emphasize country self-reliance and shared financial commitments.