U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping 90-day freeze on foreign aid has paralyzed critical programs worldwide. Despite waivers for "life-saving humanitarian assistance" issued by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aid workers report widespread confusion and funding uncertainty. Without clear guidance, many organizations have shut down operations, fearing non-reimbursement.
Breakdown in communication
A communication blackout has deepened the crisis. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staff were instructed not to clarify waivers, leaving aid workers scrambling. Some U.S. officials were either dismissed or barred from responding, creating a bureaucratic deadlock.
Humanitarian impact
In Myanmar, where famine looms, and in Bangladesh, where the U.S. funds 55 percent of aid to Rohingya refugees, relief efforts are stalled. In Ghana and Kenya, malaria prevention efforts remain on hold, threatening millions with infection. Haiti's HIV treatment program remains shut despite its exemption, as written instructions have yet to arrive, putting pregnant women and thousands of patients at risk.
USAID in disarray
The turmoil is exacerbated by mass firings at USAID, which Trump has labeled a "criminal organization." The administration plans to retain just 611 staff out of 10,000, with Rubio appointing himself acting administrator. Employees were abruptly dismissed, unable to save crucial documents or contacts.
"People are going to die"
The freeze has forced the closure of medical clinics for Myanmar refugees in Thailand, leaving vulnerable patients without care. A woman dependent on oxygen died four days after being discharged from a now-defunct hospital. Aid workers fear further deaths as essential services collapse.
The real-world consequences of Trump's "America First" policy are dire. With funding in limbo and no clear answers, aid workers warn that millions could suffer—and many may not survive.
Source: Reuters
Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika
