The Trump administration's halt to foreign aid is wreaking havoc on critical global programs aimed at fighting disease and maintaining security. This sweeping measure, initiated through an executive order signed by President Trump, includes an order to stop almost all foreign aid that is part of the $70 billion budget approved by Congress.
Among the multitude of affected initiatives are programs dedicated to treating H.I.V. in various countries, combating forced labor in China, and training law enforcement in Mexico and Colombia. The U.S. State Department, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has instructed aid groups to cease operations, sparking panic among humanitarian organizations.
These aid programs, often lifelines for communities facing dire circumstances, are now left in limbo, forcing many organizations to contemplate significant layoffs as funding sources dry up. In the U.S., tens of thousands of employees whose work is tied to these initiatives face uncertain futures, with some already experiencing job loss.
Leaders in the aid community have expressed their dismay over this unprecedented halt, claiming they’ve never faced such sweeping and potentially damaging directives, even during prior government reassessments of aid. Many organizations are feverishly reaching out to lawmakers to underscore the urgent necessity of these programs, warning that once halted, many initiatives may not be easily resumed.
