US announces nearly $2B in health, humanitarian aid to faith-based organizations
The funding will support thousands of health facilities and community hubs and provide emergency relief to an estimated 7 million people across 16 humanitarian crises.
The State Department announced Aug. 6 that the U.S. plans to provide nearly $2 billion through partnerships with faith-based and community organizations that deliver health and humanitarian assistance worldwide.
The funding represents the largest commitment of global health foreign assistance to faith-based organizations in more than 20 years, according to a department press release. It falls under the Trump administration’s America First Global Health Strategy and will support organizations the department described as proven providers in difficult environments.
About $1.4 billion will support integrated health services through faith-based and community hospitals and clinics in more than 20 countries. That amount includes up to $850 million over five years for a Faith and Community Initiative award to World Vision and a consortium of local organizations.
The department said the funding will strengthen more than 2,500 hospitals, clinics, and community hubs across 17 countries and train, pay, and equip more than 30,000 community health workers.
An additional $570 million will go directly to faith-based and community facilities through agreements with partner governments. The department said in the release that faith-based providers account for at least 40% of health facilities in many countries receiving U.S. assistance.
The awards require at least 80% of resources to reach frontline health services, compared with the 35% to 40% that the department said was typical under previous awards.
Separately, the department announced its intention to provide $538 million in humanitarian assistance through awards to Samaritan’s Purse and a consortium jointly led by World Vision and Compassion International. The funding is expected to provide life-saving assistance to 7 million people across 16 crises. More than $100 million will be available immediately to respond to natural disasters and strengthen preparedness in 23 disaster-prone countries, according to the release.
The department cited the three organizations’ experience responding to natural disasters, conflicts, and disease outbreaks. Samaritan’s Purse recently deployed a field hospital in Venezuela after devastating earthquakes in June. According to the release, World Vision reported reaching 35.6 million people through 104 disaster responses in 2025, and Compassion International has more than 70 years of experience working with local churches in 29 countries to respond to natural disasters and conflict displacement.
