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Lifesaving medical interventions at risk -

Funding for HIV research, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as other lifesaving medical interventions, hang on the line following President Trump’s announcement of cutting USAID for 90 days as his administration evaluates each agreement in accordance with his foreign policy scheme.

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Foreign aid -

The most recent report on the official foreign aid number is from December 2023, which noted that the United States’ foreign aid programs amounted to US$68 billion, spread across 204 countries and regions.

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Executive order -

The executive order, issued on January 20, 2025, states that: “The United States foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values.”

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American values -

What has left many confused is, firstly, what “American values” it refers to, as it’s unclear how any USAID agreements are at odds with such.

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Targeting development aid funds -

The executive order in question goes on to order that development assistant funds, both new agreements and regular payments in accordance with existing agreements, should be paused until an analysis is complete in line with the new administration’s vision for foreign policy.

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Ongoing or new programs will be most effected -

Funding that has already been distributed does not seem to be at risk of being subjected to any measures that could require returning funds, but certainly, ongoing programs or those set to begin will face the potential brunt of this decision.

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How will programs be evaluated? -

The executive order does not provide any specifics about which foreign aid programs will be completely halted, how they will be reviewed, and the criteria for such. USAID distributes US$22 billion in aid on an annual basis.

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Public health programs at risk -

Development experts fear the consequences of the returning president’s decision. Former USAID director of vaccine access considers the executive order a “deadly decision” that may devastate public health programs around the world, putting millions at risk.

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Infectious diseases in Uganda -

Uganda, for example, is a country that has relied on USAID funding in its efforts to tackle infectious diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, as well as its immunization initiatives. The country is certainly facing uncertainty regarding the possibility of carrying out these programs in the near to far future.

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WHO membership -

The halt on USAID funding also came with an executive order withdrawing the United States’ membership from the World Health Organization (WHO). “That’s a big one,” Trump said before signing the order. The United States funds nearly one-fifth of the organization’s budget.

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Humanitarian assistance at risk -

It’s not just public health programs that are at risk. Humanitarian assistance and aid are also facing the daunting halt of support from the American government.

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Marco Rubio -

The new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, noted that the new administration’s foreign relations objectives, reflected also in domestic policy, include eliminating political and cultural programs that do not align with Trump’s ultra-conservative agenda.

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Does it make America safer? -

Addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio stated, "Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, every policy we pursue must be justified by the answer to one of three questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Or does it make America more prosperous?"

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Uphill battle -

In many areas where relief efforts are already facing a serious struggle to meet the basic needs of their beneficiaries, the consequences of the 90-day pause are disastrous.

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Afghanistan -

Countries like Afghanistan, whose biggest donor is USAID, are bracing for detrimental consequences stemming from the sudden cut in resources.

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Half of Afghanistan's population dependent on foreign aid -

In Afghanistan, 23 million people, over half the nation’s population, are dependent on humanitarian assistance. With the rise of the Taliban, governments and development agencies have been weary about providing funding for programs.

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Women and girls at risk -

In a nation that is still reeling from decades of warfare and devastating losses in every sector, women and girls are particularly at risk of the fallout of these cuts.

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Military equipment -

Before returning to office, Trump expressed to a rally of supporters that aid to Afghanistan would depend on the country’s actions to return military equipment left behind by American troops during their occupation. Trump says the worth of this equipment amounts to billions of dollars.

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Aid gaps further poverty -

Jan Egeland (pictured), Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), a major development aid organization conducting critical interventions all over the world, stated that what Western nations misunderstand is that it is the lack of aid, therefore, the rise of poverty and further isolation of the most vulnerable, that give rise to authoritarian movements.

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Women are primary beneficiaries -

In fact, a report by USAID outlines how development aid advances economic growth, noting how women are the primary beneficiaries of USAID funding, particularly regarding adequate childcare, which is usually women’s primary impediment to participation in the workforce.

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Ukraine -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is certainly feeling the heat regarding America’s continued support of the nation’s war efforts against neighboring Russia.

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Trump promises to end Ukraine-Russia war -

President Trump has spent his presidential campaign promising he will end the war between Ukraine and Russia, expressing concern about the amount of funding that the US contributes to the conflict. Pictured is Russian shelling in Ukraine.

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Military assistance, not development aid -

Although military assistance to Ukraine does not fall under USAID programming, support for Ukrainian civil society projects and for the nation’s independent journalists does.

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Exacerbating crises -

The organization World Relief has expressed concerns about the potential of the suspension of funds to “exacerbate crises in some of the most fragile contexts in the world.”

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Top recipients of foreign aid -

The biggest recipients of foreign aid are Israel (US$3.3 billion per year), Egypt ($1.5 billion per year), and Jordan ($1.7 billion per year). Analysts report that these nations are unlikely to see diminished funding.

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Exception -

Although the halt of USAID funds is worrisome for many around the world, there is an exception to allow for funding to resume earlier than the three-month term if a review is completed and approved before the period comes to an end.

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Decision process -

The Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget, will decide if a program will be completely canceled, continue as agreed, or if modifications must be approved.

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Infringing on legislative branch -

The process outlined by the executive order is not frictionless, as the format for approval infringes on the legislative branch’s power over how funds are distributed and spent.

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"Power of the purse" -

This aspect is expected to generate some buzz in Congress, which Rubio says holds the “power of the purse,” referring to decision-making power over spending.

Sources: (Research Professional News) (Reuters) (USAID) (Politico) (Nile Post) (The Kyiv Independent) (Washington Post) (AP News) (The Hill)

See also: The worst famines in history

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