How the US Freeze on Foreign Aid is Worsening Humanitarian Crises Worldwide

The ongoing humanitarian crisis is intensifying as a result of the US government’s freeze on foreign aid, which has brought critical programs to a standstill. Food aid is no longer reaching the people who need it most, health services are being forced to close their doors, and life-saving assistance remains stuck, unable to be delivered to the most vulnerable populations. These troubling outcomes are not merely hypothetical—they are the painful reality faced by aid workers, as the freeze imposed by the Trump administration on foreign assistance continues to disrupt efforts worldwide.

According to multiple sources within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the freeze has caused significant harm to aid programs across the globe, especially in regions already suffering from severe instability and dire humanitarian needs. A USAID employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the situation as heart-wrenching: “It’s heartbreaking for our beneficiaries, for whom this is literally life and death.” The consequences of halting foreign aid are immediate and severe, leaving people in places like Ukraine, Burma, and Sudan without the critical resources they rely on to survive.

This aid freeze is not just an inconvenience; it’s a crisis that undermines global stability and the United States’ standing in the world. One USAID worker recounted the shock experienced by their partners in the field, as funding freezes extend into a second week. The uncertainty surrounding the reliability of the US as a partner in humanitarian work has raised questions about the future of aid programs that are vital for addressing ongoing crises in some of the world’s most dangerous and unstable regions.

The situation is particularly acute in countries such as Ukraine, where the conflict has already created widespread displacement and suffering. In Burma, ethnic minorities are facing brutal persecution, and in Sudan, ongoing violence has left millions without access to basic services. These are just a few examples of the countries where aid programs have been halted due to the freeze, leaving countless individuals without the assistance they desperately need.

The freeze has not only disrupted aid delivery but has also deeply affected the aid industry as a whole. The vast majority of USAID workers and contractors who spoke with CNN requested anonymity, citing concerns over losing their jobs or seeing their projects lose future funding. One USAID employee emphasized that their work serves not only humanitarian interests but also strategic national interests. “We do this work because it supports America’s power and stability abroad,” they said. “It’s not just about being nice—it’s about protecting our own future. The consequences of halting this work are devastating, both personally and globally.”

Despite claims by the administration that waivers have been issued for life-saving programs such as food aid, the reality on the ground paints a very different picture. Multiple USAID sources revealed that funding for these critical programs remains frozen, even for projects that are intended to provide immediate relief to vulnerable populations. “The waiver is essentially useless to us,” one official explained. “The reality is that much of the work is carried out by our partners, who front the money and get reimbursed later. But with the freeze in place, they’re not being reimbursed, and that’s leaving everyone stuck.”

The freeze is also taking a severe toll on the livelihoods of thousands of workers within the aid sector. With contracts unpaid and programs suspended, both American and international aid workers are facing job losses, further compounding the humanitarian impact. The entire aid infrastructure is struggling to survive, and its ability to respond to crises around the world is severely weakened. For many, the loss of employment isn’t just a personal hardship—it’s a direct consequence of the US government’s policies, which are undermining efforts to alleviate suffering globally.

As the freeze continues, it is clear that the broader impact on global humanitarian efforts is significant. The US has long been a leader in international aid, and this sudden withdrawal from critical partnerships is shaking the foundations of global humanitarian relief. With each passing day, more people in desperate need of assistance are left without the support they rely on, and the long-term consequences of this policy could be felt for years to come. The US government’s decision to freeze foreign aid is not just affecting those who are directly impacted by the loss of assistance; it is also damaging the global reputation of the United States and eroding its influence in key regions.