In Ghana and Kenya, insecticide and mosquito nets sit unused in warehouses due to a lack of US approval for urgent anti-malaria campaigns. In Haiti, a group treating HIV patients is waiting for US permission to distribute medicines that prevent mother-to-child transmission. In Myanmar, where famine is looming, one humanitarian worker described the situation as “mayhem.”
Nearly three weeks into US President Donald Trump’s sweeping freeze on foreign aid, life-saving programs around the world remain halted, with humanitarian workers struggling to secure waivers from the US government to keep operations open.
Trump’s January 20 announcement of a 90-day freeze on foreign aid was followed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issuing waivers for “life-saving humanitarian assistance,” such as food, shelter, and medical services. However, aid workers and UN officials have reported widespread confusion, as they are unable to confirm whether specific programs qualify for exemptions. Communication with US officials has been complicated by staff changes and directives to avoid external communication.
This breakdown has left many aid organizations in a state of uncertainty, unsure of which programs can continue without US funding. Some workers described receiving no guidance, forcing organizations to err on the side of caution and close programs instead of risking non-reimbursement.
The aid freeze is especially disruptive at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which is experiencing significant disarray due to Trump’s restructuring efforts, led by billionaire Elon Musk. Musk’s executive order, designed to review foreign aid for alignment with the “America First” policy, has further complicated the situation.
In Myanmar, where the US is the largest donor, aid workers are unsure if US-funded food distribution programs will continue due to the freeze. This uncertainty is particularly troubling as Myanmar faces a severe food crisis caused by natural disasters and civil war. Similarly, in Bangladesh, where millions of Rohingya refugees rely on US-funded aid, the freeze has interrupted essential services.
In Africa, the delay in malaria prevention campaigns, particularly in Ghana and Kenya, is also a growing concern, as crucial insecticide and mosquito nets are left unused in warehouses. The freeze threatens to waste millions of dollars already invested in fighting malaria and other preventable diseases.
Haiti’s fight against HIV also faces setbacks, as programs aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission are stuck, awaiting US clearance despite being included in the waiver.
The turmoil at USAID, following the firing of hundreds of staff and the shutdown of operations, highlights the consequences of the aid freeze. Workers in Thailand also reported the closure of clinics that served refugees, leaving patients without access to critical care.
Experts and aid workers warn that the consequences of the freeze are dire, with lives at risk as vital programs remain stalled, and many humanitarian workers fear the long-term impact on their ability to respond to crises.
