South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Liberia, Sudan, Uganda, and Ethiopia are among the most affected; these nations mostly depend on U.S. aid for economic stability, healthcare, and humanitarian relief.
Although it makes up less than 1% of the federal budget, the United States contributes more to nonmilitary humanitarian and development aid than any other country, with an annual allocation of about $60 billion.
An official with USAID told ProPublica, “A chaotic, unexplained, abrupt pause with no guidance has left all our partners around the world high and dry and America looking like a severely unreliable actor to do business with.”
According to the Centre for Global Support, 23 economies—seven lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) and 16 low-income countries (LICs)—would suffer an economic shock of at least 1% if USAID’s funding freeze persisted for a year. Eight of the countries—South Sudan (9 percent), Somalia (9 percent), Afghanistan (7 percent), Liberia (4 percent), Syria (5 percent), the Central African Republic (4 percent), Yemen (4 percent), and Micronesia (3 percent)—would have a severe effect of 3 percent or more.
South Sudan
One of the youngest countries in the world, South Sudan is among the most aid-dependent in the world due to its acute food insecurity and persistent violence. USAID has played a significant role in providing health services, emergency food assistance, and peacekeeping missions.
Millions are at risk of starvation and disease epidemics as a result of the budget embargo, and efforts to promote peace and stability may encounter obstacles.
According to Dr. Jennifer Furin, a Harvard Medical School physician who was given a stop-work order for a program creating treatment plans for patients with the most drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis, “I’ve been an infectious disease doctor for 30 years, and I’ve never seen anything that scares me as much as thisSomalia
With a history of food shortages, political unrest, and terrorism, Somalia depends on USAID for famine prevention and humanitarian assistance. Millions of people suffer famine as a result of protracted droughts and continuous conflict with extremist groups; the funding halt could make matters worse. Nutrition and immunization programs supported by USAID may also be at risk. According to a USAID report, “USAID is helping Somalis demonstrate the benefits of political reconciliation through over 450 quick-impact activities worth over $38 million,” among other things.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of Africa’s most unstable republics due to decades of conflict, poverty, and poor governance. Development initiatives, refugee aid, and healthcare services have all benefited from USAID funding. Essential services in the displacement camps that house millions of internally displaced people (IDPs) may collapse in the absence of this assistance. Additionally, the stop could interfere with attempts to limit disease outbreaks, such as Ebola. A security alert was issued on Tuesday telling American citizens in Kinshasa to “shelter in place” due to continued protests at the U.S. Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is closed until further notice. “Depart safely while commercial travel options remain available,” CNN says, the embassy also advised citizens.
Liberia
Liberia, which is still rebuilding from years of civil conflict and the horrific Ebola epidemic, mainly relies on USAID for disease control and healthcare facilities. The nation’s health system is inadequate, and USAID has been instrumental in supplying medical supplies, educating healthcare professionals, and financing immunization campaigns. A breakdown in mother and child health services and an increase in avoidable diseases could result from the United States’ withdrawal of financing. The U.S. government’s global response to the Ebola outbreak was led by USAID, which eventually led to the eradication of all cases. The virus killed 11,300 people and infected nearly 28,600 others.
Sudan
USAID has been a vital source of development and emergency food help for Sudan, which is struggling with armed conflicts and a precarious transition to civilian administration. For the past 21 months, USAID and State Department workers have sought to unblock assistance routes. Convoys backed by the United States were finally starting to make their way to some of the worst-hit communities, albeit slowly. In addition to undermining governance and civil society efforts to stabilize the nation, the funding suspension will raise the risk of famine, particularly in areas ravaged by violence like Darfur.
Uganda
One of the few African countries where USAID has made significant investments in population and reproductive health initiatives is Uganda. Millions of women and children may have less access to family planning, contraception, and maternal healthcare as a result of the budget suspension. Additionally, disruptions might undo years of progress in HIV/AIDS programs that rely on U.S. financing. Donald Trump’s decision shocked Flavia Kyomukama of the National Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS Networks Uganda (NAFOPHANU). “We are still struggling to process what has happened – it’s incredibly difficult to comprehend,” she continued. “There was a memorandum of support between our countries, a clear roadmap toward zero infections, and yet this decision was made in a single day.”
Ethiopia
Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa, has been battling political instability, severe hunger, and a terrible civil war. One of the biggest donors to Ethiopia, USAID has helped with healthcare, disaster assistance, and food security. Millions could be at risk of starvation and displacement as a result of the aid freeze, especially in the war-torn Tigray region. According to a UNAIDS newsletter, “the halt of U.S. foreign assistance on Ethiopia will affect many areas of development, but its impact on Ethiopia’s national HIV response is particularly severe.”
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