A freeze on global aid imposed by the Trump administration has sparked significant concern across Africa, as humanitarian groups and civil society organizations fear the detrimental effects on vulnerable populations. Ethiopian human rights groups, in particular, have raised alarms, warning that the decision may force many essential operations to cease.
Masud Gebeyehu Reta, Executive Director of the Ethiopian Human Rights Organisation and a member of the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations, highlighted the dire consequences of the freeze, which includes disruptions to critical health and social services. Recently, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health announced plans to lay off over 5,000 contracted health workers as a result of the 90-day suspension of US aid.
Reta condemned the freeze, emphasizing that such funding is an essential part of global solidarity. “This funding belongs to the people and is intended for the people,” he said. “It reflects how Americans choose to extend support to communities globally as part of our shared humanity. It is not the prerogative of the executive to dictate this; it is the people’s desire to assist those suffering from conflict, climate change, disease, and more.”
The United States has long been the world’s largest provider of foreign aid, though some European nations contribute a larger percentage of their GDP to such efforts. USAID (United States Agency for International Development) operates in around 120 countries, focusing on combating epidemics, education, clean water access, and a variety of development initiatives.
In Africa, USAID has been instrumental in responding to crises such as the Ebola outbreak, providing food assistance to millions, and supporting infrastructure projects. The freeze comes at a particularly challenging time, with many African nations facing crises such as food insecurity, refugee displacement, and the impacts of climate change.
In Brazil, USAID has supported the conservation of the Amazon, aiding Indigenous peoples and local communities, while in Colombia, its efforts have included supporting the reintegration of former combatants and countering the coca trade. In Peru, a significant portion of USAID’s funding for 2024 is directed towards alternatives to drug production, including the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.
USAID has also provided emergency relief to millions of Venezuelans fleeing the country’s economic collapse, transferring millions in aid to the UN World Food Programme. This funding is vital for addressing food insecurity, with USAID providing around $45 million to assist Venezuelans in 2024 alone.
In addition, one of the most renowned US foreign aid programs, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has been credited with saving more than 25 million lives, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. PEPFAR has been instrumental in the fight against HIV/AIDS, providing access to antiretroviral medications and prevention programs.
Last year, the US contributed over $6.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to sub-Saharan Africa alone, emphasizing its significant role in global aid efforts. Humanitarian organizations are now deeply concerned about the potential long-term consequences of the aid freeze on the health and well-being of millions of vulnerable individuals in Africa and beyond.
As international bodies, NGOs, and local governments await the outcome of the aid freeze, the call to preserve essential foreign assistance grows louder. Critics argue that it is vital for the US to maintain its commitments to global health and development, particularly in regions already dealing with significant challenges.
