The abrupt suspension of U.S. foreign aid by President Donald Trump has sent shockwaves across the globe, threatening critical humanitarian programs and leaving millions at risk. The freeze, initiated as part of Trump’s “America First” agenda, has put in jeopardy essential healthcare, landmine clearance efforts, and refugee assistance in crisis-hit regions from Thailand to Ukraine.
With the United States accounting for 42% of global aid, the impact of the 90-day suspension is being felt worldwide. Refugee camps in Thailand, home to nearly 100,000 displaced people from Myanmar, have already been forced to shut down clinics due to halted funding from the International Rescue Committee. In Bangladesh, while emergency food aid for Rohingya refugees has been exempted, other vital services, such as shelter and infrastructure support, remain frozen, leaving thousands vulnerable.
The freeze extends to global healthcare initiatives, threatening the supply of essential medications for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis. Former USAID Global Health Director Atul Gawande called the cuts “catastrophic,” warning that 20 million people relying on HIV medication could be left without treatment. “That stops today,” he said, as aid agencies scrambled to find alternative sources of funding.
Widespread Disruptions and Growing Panic
The decision has thrown USAID missions into disarray, forcing NGOs and partners to pause operations, lay off staff, and scramble for alternative funding. Some, like Bangkok-based Freeland Foundation, have resorted to crowdfunding in a desperate attempt to sustain wildlife conservation efforts that now stand at risk.
Even landmine clearance projects in conflict zones such as Syria, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Afghanistan—where uncleared mines claim thousands of lives annually—are facing uncertainty. The U.S. was the largest landmine action donor in 2023, contributing $310 million, but with funding now frozen, demining efforts in war-torn regions could grind to a halt.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, where U.S. aid has been a lifeline for both military and civilian efforts, panic is mounting. Oksana Matiiash, board chair of Teach for Ukraine, warned that the funding freeze threatens not just financial assistance but also the people behind every grant. “Behind every grant are real people working in unimaginable conditions,” she said, highlighting the impact on the war-torn country’s fragile education sector.
Political Justifications and Global Backlash
The Trump administration has defended the move, stating that U.S. taxpayers should no longer be expected to fund foreign initiatives without direct benefits to the country. The State Department emphasized that reassessing foreign aid spending is a “moral imperative.” However, critics argue that the freeze could undermine American influence abroad and destabilize fragile regions that rely heavily on U.S. support.
Amid the growing fallout, some world leaders have voiced approval. In Georgia, where a controversial “foreign agents law” penalizes NGOs receiving significant foreign funding, parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili welcomed the U.S. decision, suggesting that foreign aid is sometimes used to “create chaos on the ground.”
Uncertain Future for Humanitarian Assistance
The fate of USAID-funded projects remains uncertain as global organizations await further directives. If the freeze becomes permanent, it could fundamentally reshape international aid, leaving millions without healthcare, food, and education while forcing NGOs to seek alternative sources of funding.
For now, humanitarian groups and affected communities are left grappling with an uncertain future, hoping that a policy reversal—or alternative funding—can prevent further devastation.
