Trump's Halt on Foreign Aid Sparks Global Crisis

The recent executive order by President Trump to halt foreign aid is leading to a global crisis, jeopardizing vital programs aimed at combating disease and malnutrition.

By Edward Wong and Apoorva Mandavilli
Reporting from Washington and New York
Jan. 28, 2025, 6:51 p.m. ET

Among the myriad of aid programs funded by the U.S. government, initiatives focused on treating H.I.V., combating forced labor in China, and training law enforcement in Mexico and Colombia are now at risk of permanent shutdown. This comes in the wake of President Trump's recent executive order to freeze foreign aid, causing a surge of anxiety among aid organizations around the world.

U.S. government officials have communicated a sweeping stop-work directive for numerous groups operating under the $70 billion annual aid budget. This freeze includes essential services that provide medicine, shelter, and clean water to vulnerable populations, making a life-and-death difference in many circumstances.

In a climate of uncertainty regarding salary payments and future funding, many organizations are being forced to lay off or furlough workers. Tens of thousands of employees in the U.S., particularly those reliant on contracts with federal agencies, face potential job loss amidst this turmoil. Reports indicate that layoffs have already begun.

Leaders within the aid community express deep concern, noting that they have never confronted such a broad and damaging directive, not even during previous administrations' aid reviews. Many are urgently reaching out to legislators and government officials in hopes of communicating the dire implications of this order. They emphasize that the consequences of shutting down operations could be permanent for several programs, severely impacting lives globally as they struggle to restart their vital missions in the future.