The USAID has asked all USAID/Bangladesh implementing partners to immediately 'stop, cease and/or suspend' any work performed under their respective USAID/Bangladesh contract, task order, grant, cooperative agreements, and acquisition or assistance instruments.
The US government's cooperation agency made a directive to this end on Sunday.
However, according to the press wing of the interim government, the food, nutrition and health-related support programme for the Rohingya refugees has been exempted from the directives.
"Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus expressed his gratitude to President Donald Trump in a letter for this exemption," said Apurba Zahangir, deputy press secretary to the CA, at a briefing.
Foreign adviser Touhid Hossain said this directive was predicted as Mr Trump intended to take such action before assuming office. "This is applicable to all countries and not only to Bangladesh."
The directive was issued through a letter in reference to a notice on President Trump's executive order on reevaluating and realigning United States foreign aid, and also a notice on implementation of executive order: DEIA activities under existing USAID awards.
"This action is taken in accordance with the applicable authority under your award, which may include FAR clause 52.242-15 Stop Work Order (or Alternate I), 2 CFR 700.14, or the applicable standard provisions, as appropriate," according to the letter.
"Partners shall take all reasonable steps to minimise the incurrence of costs allocable to their awards," it continued.
"Partners shall not resume work under their awards until notification has been received in writing from the contracting/agreement officer that this award 'Stop Work Order/Suspension' has been canceled," said the letter signed by Richard B Aaron of the USAID.
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