Key Takeaways:
- The Trump administration is cutting nearly all U.S. foreign aid, ignoring warnings from health experts about devastating consequences.
- Over a million children may die from malnutrition, and thousands more could succumb to malaria and tuberculosis.
- Global health programs are shutting down, causing instability in regions like Africa and the Middle East.
- Internal memos reveal top officials tried to stop the cuts but were blocked by political appointees.
- The administration claims it’s rooting out waste, but critics say the process is chaotic and harmful.
Life-Saving Programs Shutdown Sparks Global Health Crisis
The Trump administration has made unprecedented cuts to U.S. foreign aid, slashing nearly all programs run by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). These cuts, which took effect recently, have stunned global health experts and humanitarian organizations.
Internal documents and interviews reveal that top health officials warned the administration about the deadly consequences of these cuts. They estimated that:
- One million children will not receive treatment for severe malnutrition.
- Up to 166,000 people will die from malaria.
- Tuberculosis cases will surge by 30%.
- Polio could paralyzed 200,000 more children in the next decade.
Despite these warnings, political appointees, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, pushed ahead with the cuts. They ignored pleas from health experts to keep critical programs running.
Chaos and Confusion Follow Aid Cuts
The cuts have caused widespread confusion and chaos. Thousands of foreign aid projects, which made up 90% of USAID’s work, were abruptly canceled. Many of these programs were lifesaving, providing food, medicine, and clean water to millions of people worldwide.
Behind the scenes, USAID staff tried to protect these programs. They shared detailed information with political leaders about the harm the cuts would cause. However, their efforts were repeatedly blocked by administration officials.
One internal memo described the situation as an “incompetent mess.” Officials say the process was so disorganized that even basic information, like how to approve waivers for lifesaving programs, was unclear. Payments to aid organizations were also halted, leaving many without the funds to continue their work.
Global Consequences of U.S. Aid Cuts
The impact of these cuts will be felt across the globe.
- Tuberculosis Surge: The funding cuts will disrupt treatment for TB, the deadliest infectious disease worldwide. New infections are expected to rise by 30%, and patients may develop drug-resistant strains of the disease. This poses a threat not just to other countries but also to the U.S., where treating multi-drug-resistant TB can cost nearly $500,000 per patient.
- Malaria Epidemic: In regions like the Sahel in Africa, mosquito nets and malaria treatments can no longer be delivered. This could lead to 12 million to 18 million new malaria infections, many of which will be deadly for young children.
- Regional Instability: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, health services have collapsed, leaving over 400 mpox patients without care. Food and water shortages are also worsening, raising the risk of malnutrition, cholera, and measles outbreaks.
In addition to the health crisis, the cuts could destabilize entire regions. Without U.S. aid, war-torn areas may become even more volatile, threatening global security.
A Careless Process
The Trump administration claims it’s carefully reviewing foreign aid programs to root out waste and fraud. However, insiders describe the process as chaotic and hurried.
For example, contract officers responsible for overseeing aid programs had no idea which programs were being canceled or why. In one case, employees were told not to review programs before canceling them. When mistakes were made, officials scrambled to fix them, but it’s unclear how many programs will be reinstated.
A Violent Break from Tradition
The Trump administration’s approach to foreign aid is a stark departure from U.S. policy in recent decades. Programs that were once widely supported by both political parties are now being dismantled.
Nicholas Enrich, a senior health official at USAID, was placed on leave after releasing internal memos that criticized the administration’s actions. He and other whistleblowers have warned that the cuts will lead to preventable deaths, destabilization, and threats to national security.
What’s Next?
The full impact of these cuts will take time to unfold, but the consequences are likely to be severe. Without U.S. aid, global health crises will worsen, and the U.S. will become more vulnerable to infectious diseases.
As legal challenges mount, the Trump administration continues to defend its actions. However, the memos and interviews paint a picture of a reckless and poorly planned process. For now, millions of people worldwide are left without the lifeline of U.S. aid, facing an uncertain and dangerous future.