The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long been a pillar of humanitarian assistance worldwide, providing essential aid to vulnerable populations across multiple continents. However, the recent decision by the Trump administration to eliminate more than 90% of USAID contracts and cut approximately $60 billion in funding has sent shockwaves through the global aid community.
As a result, 10,000 contracts with USAID were abruptly terminated, leaving many critical programs without funding. This move has already begun to impact millions of people, especially in fragile countries that rely on U.S. aid to sustain health programs, food security, and humanitarian relief.
Below, we examine 20 key projects that have been forced to shut down and the devastating consequences of these cuts.
The Impact of USAID Cuts Across the Globe
1. Democratic Republic of the Congo – Malnourished Children at Risk
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Action Against Hunger has been forced to halt its treatment program for malnourished children. The closure of these programs means that tens of thousands of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition will be left without life-saving treatment, increasing their risk of mortality.
2. Ethiopia – Food Assistance and Healthcare Disruptions
Ethiopia has been one of the hardest-hit nations, with over one million people losing food assistance. Additionally, 5,000 healthcare workers were laid off due to the termination of USAID-funded programs. These workers were instrumental in HIV and malaria prevention, vaccinations, and support services for women affected by war.
3. Senegal – Malaria Prevention Programs Cease Operations
USAID-funded malaria prevention programs in Senegal, which provided mosquito nets and medication to thousands, have been shut down. Maternal and child health programs have also closed, leaving many pregnant women without access to necessary medical care.
4. South Sudan – Healthcare for 115,000 People Cut Off
In South Sudan, a USAID-funded International Rescue Committee project providing health and nutrition services to 115,000 people has been discontinued, leaving an already vulnerable population in dire need of medical attention.
5. Colombia – Refugees Left Without Support
In Colombia, the Norwegian Refugee Council has shut down an aid program assisting 50,000 displaced individuals. Many of these people, fleeing violence, now have no access to food, shelter, or clean water.
6. Sudan – Hunger Crisis Worsens
A staggering 90 communal kitchens in Khartoum, Sudan, have closed due to USAID funding cuts. More than 500,000 people relied on these kitchens for daily meals. Without them, hunger and malnutrition are expected to surge.
7. Bangladesh – Women and Children Affected
In Bangladesh, USAID-funded programs supporting 600,000 women and children have ceased operations. These programs provided maternal healthcare, reproductive health services, and protection against gender-based violence.
8. Mali – Water and Food Shortages
More than 270,000 people in Mali have lost access to clean water, food, and healthcare after USAID pulled funding. Many of these individuals live in areas affected by conflict and poverty, making them highly vulnerable.
9. Burkina Faso – Services for Women and Children Halted
Over 400,000 people in northern Burkina Faso no longer have access to clean water. Programs supporting victims of gender-based violence and child protection services have also been discontinued.
10. Somalia – Health Centers Shut Down
In Somalia, 50 health centers that served approximately 19,000 patients per month have closed because USAID funds were no longer available to pay healthcare workers.
11. Ukraine – Humanitarian Aid Programs Suspended
In war-torn Ukraine, cash-based humanitarian programs that supported one million people have been suspended, leaving many displaced families without financial assistance.
12. Afghanistan – Health Services for 9 Million People Affected
Hundreds of mobile health clinics and other medical services in Afghanistan have been suspended, cutting off healthcare access for nine million people in one of the world’s most crisis-ridden countries.
13. Syria – Millions Without Aid
In Syria, USAID-funded programs assisting 2.5 million people in the northeast have stopped providing essential services. Additionally, a dozen health clinics, including a main referral hospital, have been shut down.
14. Kenya – Hunger Crisis Escalates
More than 600,000 people in Kenya, particularly in drought-affected areas, will no longer receive food and nutrition support due to the funding cuts.
15. Haiti – Malnutrition Programs Shut Down
USAID funding cuts have led to the termination of nutritional support programs that helped 13,000 malnourished individuals in Haiti.
16. Thailand – Refugee Assistance Ends
In Thailand, hospitals that provided medical care to 100,000 refugees from Myanmar have been forced to close, leaving many without necessary medical attention.
17. Nigeria – Malnourished Children at Risk
In Nigeria, 25,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition will no longer receive food assistance, putting them at high risk of starvation.
18. The Philippines – Disaster Preparedness Program Cut
A USAID-funded program designed to improve disaster warning systems for disabled individuals in the Philippines has been discontinued.
19. Vietnam – Support for Disabled Individuals Stopped
A program that provided home-based medical care and trained caregivers for disabled people in Vietnam has been terminated due to budget cuts.
20. Yemen – Healthcare for Displaced Families Ends
In Yemen, where years of war have devastated healthcare services, 220,000 displaced individuals will lose access to maternal health services and protection against gender-based violence.
A Global Humanitarian Crisis in the Making
The sudden withdrawal of USAID funding has left millions without access to essential services. Experts warn that the decision to cut over $60 billion in aid will not only have immediate humanitarian consequences but could also lead to long-term instability in many of these regions.
For years, USAID has played a crucial role in providing emergency food assistance, strengthening health systems, and supporting vulnerable communities. The decision to defund these programs “for convenience and the interests of the U.S. government” has drawn criticism from international aid organizations and world leaders.
Political and Humanitarian Repercussions
Critics argue that these cuts undermine U.S. diplomatic relationships and reduce America’s influence in global humanitarian efforts. The move has been described as short-sighted, as humanitarian crises left unaddressed can contribute to increased conflict, forced migration, and economic downturns.
Meanwhile, affected communities are left grappling with the immediate fallout. Many local aid organizations are scrambling to find alternative sources of funding, but the abrupt nature of the USAID cuts means that many life-saving programs may never be revived.
What Happens Next?
With millions of people now facing heightened risks of hunger, disease, and displacement, the global humanitarian community is calling for urgent action. While some governments and private donors have stepped in to provide limited support, they cannot fill the $60 billion gap left by the USAID cuts.
Possible Outcomes:
- Congressional Intervention: Lawmakers may challenge the decision and push for the reinstatement of some funding.
- Alternative Funding Sources: International organizations and philanthropists may step up efforts to fill the void left by USAID.
- Worsening Humanitarian Crisis: If no immediate action is taken, food shortages, disease outbreaks, and violence could increase in affected regions.
A Crisis That Could Have Been Prevented
The termination of USAID programs represents one of the most significant shifts in U.S. foreign aid policy in recent history. While the full impact of these cuts is yet to be realized, early signs indicate that millions of lives are already at risk.
As international aid agencies struggle to respond, the world is watching closely to see whether the U.S. government will reconsider its stance—or whether the consequences of these cuts will continue to unfold in some of the most vulnerable regions on the planet.