Vital Health Services in Jeopardy
Clinics worldwide are scrambling to secure alternative funding as President Donald Trump’s executive order halts U.S. foreign aid for 90 days. The sudden suspension, announced on January 20, includes a stop-work directive for all active U.S.-funded programs, with few exemptions. Organizations warn this move endangers millions reliant on life-saving medical care, food aid, and humanitarian assistance.
HIV Programs Face Collapse
The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), which supplies antiretroviral drugs to 20 million HIV patients, is among the suspended programs. Clinics in Uganda, which rely on Pepfar for medication and testing kits, are already reporting shortages. “This is a matter of life or death,” said Beatriz Grinsztejn, president of the International AIDS Society. Experts fear a resurgence of HIV if the program remains frozen.
Crisis in Conflict Zones
In Ukraine, frontline medical units funded by U.S. aid may be forced to shut down. These mobile clinics provide essential healthcare where no other services exist. Andriy Klepikov, director of the Alliance for Public Health in Ukraine, urged officials to prioritize a review for exemptions. “We provide care where there are no doctors or nurses,” he said. Without urgent intervention, civilians in war-torn areas may be left without medical support.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Looms in Refugee Camps
Refugee camps worldwide, from Chad to Bangladesh, face devastating consequences. Bangladesh’s Rohingya camps, home to one million displaced people, rely on U.S. aid, which accounted for 55% of funding last year. Aid workers are now forced to decide which life-saving services to prioritize. “There is no plan or safety net,” warned Oxfam America’s Abby Maxman. The freeze affects water, sanitation, and healthcare—vital services beyond emergency food aid, which was granted an exemption.
Global Health at Risk
Experts warn the freeze will disrupt efforts to combat diseases such as polio, bird flu, and the deadly Marburg virus. Dr. Atul Gawande, former USAID global health official, said clinics are shutting down, workers are being sent home, and programs monitoring infectious diseases have stopped. The global aid community is calling for urgent action to prevent catastrophic consequences.
Uncertain Future for U.S. Foreign Aid
The U.S., the world’s largest aid donor, disbursed $72 billion last year. Many organizations are still assessing the full impact of the freeze. A humanitarian sector consultant, Thomas Byrnes, warned of severe repercussions: “There’s no cool-down period. You have to stop now.” As the review unfolds, millions worldwide face uncertainty, with no clear timeline for aid restoration.
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Charities reeling from USAid freeze warn of ‘life or death’ effects
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