The United States and the United Nations have signed a new agreement aimed at overhauling how US-funded humanitarian assistance is managed, with a focus on reducing waste, improving accountability, and increasing the impact of aid programs, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In a statement released on Monday, Rubio said the agreement reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are used efficiently while maintaining the United States’ role as the world’s leading provider of humanitarian assistance.
“The United States remains the most generous nation in the world for lifesaving humanitarian assistance—but under the president’s leadership taxpayer dollars will never fund waste, anti-Americanism, or inefficiency,” Rubio said.
The agreement, signed by the US State Department and the United Nations, introduces what officials described as a reformed model for how the United States programs, funds, and oversees humanitarian work administered by UN agencies.
Rubio said the changes are designed to ensure that “more lives will be saved for fewer US taxpayer dollars.”
According to the State Department, the new framework will require the United Nations to implement stricter oversight and accountability mechanisms, while also addressing long-standing concerns over duplication of efforts and administrative costs.
Rubio emphasized that the reforms would compel the UN to streamline its operations.
“This new model will better share the burden of UN humanitarian work with other developed countries and will require the UN to cut bloat, remove duplication, and commit to powerful new impact, accountability and oversight mechanisms,” he said.
US officials have repeatedly raised concerns about inefficiencies within international humanitarian systems, arguing that a disproportionate share of funding has historically come from American taxpayers.
The agreement seeks to encourage greater financial participation from other developed nations while ensuring clearer reporting on how funds are spent.
The United States is the largest single donor to UN humanitarian agencies, contributing billions of dollars annually to support responses to conflicts, natural disasters, and food insecurity around the world.
While successive administrations have affirmed support for humanitarian aid, calls for reform and stronger oversight have intensified in recent years.
Rubio said the agreement aligns with broader efforts by the administration to ensure that foreign assistance advances US values and interests while delivering measurable results on the ground.
He stressed that generosity must be matched with responsibility and effectiveness.
State Department officials said the reformed approach will include enhanced monitoring of UN-administered programs, clearer performance benchmarks, and regular reviews to assess impact and cost efficiency.
The goal, they said, is to maximize the lifesaving potential of humanitarian aid while reducing administrative overhead.
The United Nations has not yet issued a detailed public response outlining how the reforms will be implemented, but officials indicated that the agreement reflects ongoing negotiations with UN leadership over funding structures and operational reforms.
As global humanitarian needs continue to rise, the agreement underscores a renewed push by Washington to balance sustained support for vulnerable populations with demands for greater accountability and shared responsibility among international partners.
by BRIAN ORUTA
