The U.S. government has made a significant move by demanding that United Nations humanitarian agencies disclose any affiliations with communism, socialism, or anti-American sentiments. This request comes in the form of a questionnaire and has been raised in conjunction with an effort to examine the value of programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Several officials from both the U.S. and U.N., who provided insight into this development, expressed their responses based on confidentiality concerns.
The UNICEF and the U.N. Refugee Agency, along with other bodies connected with the U.S. Agency for International Development, have found themselves recipients of this scrutinizing questionnaire. The documents in question were distributed under unclear circumstances regarding their reach, though confirmation of their dispatch and existence has been affirmed by members within the USAID and U.N.
U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric acknowledged receiving information about these surveys through interactions with other agency colleagues. However, he did not elaborate further. The officials divulged details on condition that their identities remain protected due to fear of any potential adverse consequences.
The Trump administration’s directive appears to fall in line with its broader theme of identifying and curbing what it describes as governmental “waste, fraud, and abuse.” Part of this has entailed reassessing foreign assistance. Notably, Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted an 83% reduction in programs managed by USAID internationally.
The nature of the questions within the survey varied, touching on routine aspects such as risk management frameworks, but also delving into topics more contentious within Republican circles. These include inquiries about organizations’ positions on abortion-related care, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues, and “gender ideology.”
A key focus is ensuring that respondents declare projects that are not aligned with climate or environmental justice goals. Furthermore, organizations are asked to pledge their adherence to values like free speech and their non-affiliation with groups promoting anti-American doctrines or links to communist or socialist parties.
Particularly controversial is the framing of the U.N. entities themselves as potential issues, with one question probing whether U.S. sovereignty is maintained by limiting dependence on international bodies like the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
Another section requires organizations to assess their projects’ influence on issues such as illegal immigration prevention to the U.S. and efforts countering unfavorable foreign, notably Chinese, influences.
Remaining USAID staff reportedly have been under pressure to complete the questionnaire, even with reduced agency activities following administrative decisions to scale back on operations. The implementation of these surveys has created tension among professionals in international development who may perceive the questions as intrusive.
Thomas Shannon, a former diplomat under both Obama and Trump administrative periods, noted how diversity is a normative condition at the U.N., given its broad representation from 193 member countries across various demographics. He emphasized that U.N. initiatives are typically motivated by pressing challenges rather than any ideological agendas.
