Introduction President Trump's recent decision to freeze aid funding has left humanitarian workers feeling adrift and anxious for the millions who will be affected as programs are suspended. This move threatens millions of lives worldwide. Context USAID and NGOs The freeze affects agencies like USAID that provide critical aid to vulnerable communities. The new administration has launched stinging attacks on USAID, and Elon Musk called it a criminal organization. Crisis Effects on Aid Operations Humanitarian organizations have already been forced to pause certain aid operations in countries such as Mozambique, Syria, and Yemen. This could erode US influence worldwide. Analysis Solidarites International Solidarites International's Kevin Goldberg warns that stopping aid overnight is crazy when millions of lives are at stake. The unclear instructions from the US administration could prevent some charities from risking going ahead with programs. Insights Daryl Grisgraber, Oxfam America Oxfam America's humanitarian policy lead Daryl Grisgraber says it will have life or death consequences for millions of people. At the end of those 90 days, it's very likely there are going to be huge cuts on what aid can continue to move. Predictions Balay Rehabilitation Center The center in the conflict-plagued southern Philippines is already feeling the effects. Executive director Josephine Lascano says they are still in limbo as to whether this project will continue or not. Insights MSI Reproductive Choices Sexual and reproductive healthcare provider MSI Reproductive Choices is fully aware that the US government funding would now disappear. There's a lot of chaos that's going to play out, or starting to play out already, at the country level. Conclusions The freeze in aid funding has brought critical aid operations to a halt, threatening millions of lives worldwide. The new administration should review its policies to ensure that life-saving programs continue uninterrupted.

Introduction President Trump's recent decision to freeze aid funding has left humanitarian workers feeling adrift and anxious for the millions who will be affected as programs are suspended. This move threatens millions of lives worldwide. Context USAID and NGOs The freeze affects agencies like USAID that provide critical aid to vulnerable communities. The new administration has launched stinging attacks on USAID, and Elon Musk called it a criminal organization. Crisis Effects on Aid Operations Humanitarian organizations have already been forced to pause certain aid operations in countries such as Mozambique, Syria, and Yemen. This could erode US influence worldwide. Analysis Solidarites International Solidarites International's Kevin Goldberg warns that stopping aid overnight is crazy when millions of lives are at stake. The unclear instructions from the US administration could prevent some charities from risking going ahead with programs. Insights Daryl Grisgraber, Oxfam America Oxfam America's humanitarian policy lead Daryl Grisgraber says it will have life or death consequences for millions of people. At the end of those 90 days, it's very likely there are going to be huge cuts on what aid can continue to move. Predictions Balay Rehabilitation Center The center in the conflict-plagued southern Philippines is already feeling the effects. Executive director Josephine Lascano says they are still in limbo as to whether this project will continue or not. Insights MSI Reproductive Choices Sexual and reproductive healthcare provider MSI Reproductive Choices is fully aware that the US government funding would now disappear. There's a lot of chaos that's going to play out, or starting to play out already, at the country level. Conclusions The freeze in aid funding has brought critical aid operations to a halt, threatening millions of lives worldwide. The new administration should review its policies to ensure that life-saving programs continue uninterrupted.