In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14169, pausing all U.S. foreign aid programs for 90 days to conduct a comprehensive review. The order claimed that the current U.S. foreign aid system did not align with national interests and, in many cases, ran counter to American values.

The Disbandment of USAID

Following the review, the Trump administration decided to cut more than 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)’s foreign aid contracts—amounting to roughly $60 billion. This move resulted in mass layoffs and furloughs of thousands of USAID employees and contractors, severely disrupting humanitarian programs around the world.

In addition, the administration outlined plans to dismantle nearly two dozen USAID-affiliated offices and rebrand the agency as the U.S. International Humanitarian Assistance Authority.

Impact on Global Humanitarian Aid

The disbandment of USAID has had serious consequences for global humanitarian efforts:

• Food Aid Halted: The administration ceased funding for World Food Programme (WFP) emergency operations in Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and 11 other impoverished nations—putting millions at risk.

• Disruption of Aid Projects: Ongoing projects, including a new hospital in Haiti and the world’s largest HIV program in South Africa, faced delays or shutdowns.

• International Reactions: Countries such as Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands demanded refunds for the aid funds they had sent to the U.S., citing concerns about mismanagement following the dissolution of USAID.

Backlash and Criticism

The decision to dismantle USAID sparked widespread backlash:

• Internal Resistance: Over 1,000 USAID staff and contractors were laid off or placed on leave, leading to chaos within the agency and legal challenges from groups such as the American Foreign Service Association.

• International Concern: Humanitarian organizations and aid-receiving nations criticized the cuts, warning that vulnerable populations would suffer most.

Conclusion

The disbandment of USAID under President Donald Trump’s administration has caused widespread disruption to global humanitarian aid, jeopardizing critical projects and raising questions about America's commitment to international support.