The decision to freeze USDIA also aligns with Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as the reinstatement of the controversial “global gag rule,” which bars foreign organisations receiving US aid from providing abortion services.

The Trump administration’s decision to freeze foreign aid funding and absorb the US Agency for International Development (USAID) into the State Department has sent shockwaves through the global humanitarian sector. The move, announced as part of a broader “America First” agenda, has disrupted critical health and humanitarian programs, led to mass protests, and created widespread uncertainty among aid organisations worldwide.

President Donald Trump’s 90-day aid review has effectively halted new funding for USAID projects, leaving thousands of aid workers and beneficiaries in limbo. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appointed as acting USAID administrator, has been tasked with overseeing the transition, sparking concerns that USAID may be permanently dissolved.

Thousands of aid workers staged protests outside USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C., demanding clarity on their future. Many NGOs have been forced to issue “stop work” orders, while the agency’s website and social media accounts were abruptly taken down, reinforcing fears of a permanent shift.

Humanitarian Fallout

Although the administration granted a waiver for life-saving aid—such as medicine, food, and shelter—many critical programs remain frozen. Mohamed Abbas, regional director of Hand in Hand for Aid and Development, warned that the pause will have devastating effects in Syria, where USAID is one of the largest humanitarian donors.

“The situation is dire,” Abbas told the science communication platform, SciDev.Net. “There are serious concerns that this funding gap cannot be filled, especially as Syria is losing priority on the global agenda.”

In refugee camps like Atmeh, Syria, aid workers fear outbreaks of disease due to the sudden withdrawal of medical support. “With health programs shutting down, we are on the brink of a disaster,” said Abdul Rahim Al-Hussein, a camp director.

Shift in US Aid Priorities

The Trump administration has signalled that funding for climate programmes, gender rights, and reproductive health will likely be cut permanently. “These programmes do not align with America’s best interests,” a State Department statement read.

The decision also aligns with Trump’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as the reinstatement of the controversial “global gag rule,” which bars foreign organisations receiving US aid from providing abortion services.

In Zimbabwe, Linos Muvhu, a maternal health advocate, lamented the loss of USAID funding. “This is a big loss. We have few donors supporting perinatal mental health,” he said, adding that African nations must now explore alternative funding sources.

Universities and Health Sectors Affected

The funding freeze has also impacted higher education. The American University in Cairo (AUC) has been forced to suspend student scholarships, while USAID-funded programs in Uganda have been shut down.

Meanwhile, global health programs are bracing for cuts. The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) warns that the suspension of USAID support could lead to 1,200 additional maternal deaths and 109,000 unintended pregnancies in Afghanistan alone over the next three years.

“The human cost of this decision is staggering,” said UNFPA’s Pio Smith. “Women and children will be the hardest hit.”

As the 90-day review unfolds, aid organisations worldwide remain in a state of uncertainty. With the US historically providing nearly half of global humanitarian assistance, the world is left questioning whether America’s leadership in international aid is coming to an end.

Fallout in South Asia

UNFPA works across the world including in Afghanistan, where more than nine million people are expected to lose access to health and protection services because of the US funding crisis, it said.

This will impact nearly 600 mobile health teams, family health houses and counselling centres, whose work will be suspended, Smith explained.

“Every two hours, a mother dies from preventable pregnancy complications, making Afghanistan one of the deadliest countries in the world for women to give birth. Without UNFPA’s support, even more lives will be lost at a time when the rights of Afghan women and girls are already being torn to pieces.”

In Pakistan, the UN agency warns that the US announcement will affect 1.7 million people, including 1.2 million Afghan refugees, who will be cut off from lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services, with the closure of over 60 health facilities.

In Bangladesh, nearly 600,000 people, including Rohingya refugees, face losing access to critical maternal and reproductive health services.

“This is not about statistics. This is about real lives. These are literally the world’s most vulnerable people,” Smith insisted.

In Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar refugee camp complex – where more than one million Rohingya refugees remain trapped in dire conditions – nearly half of all births now take place in health facilities, with UNFPA’s support.

“This progress is now at risk,” Smith continued, noting that the agency requires more than $308 million dollars this year to sustain essential services in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.