Alliance News

Freeze on Foreign Aid, USAID Dismantling, and Policy Shifts Threaten Health Programs Worldwide

Feb 3, 2025

Editor’s note: In our dedication to supporting our members, we are actively working to understand this evolving landscape and are working to provide useful information and resources to our community, within the constraints of a rapidly changing situation. (See previous update.)

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As of February 3, 2025

Foreign aid has been frozen, programs and services around the world have been halted, and USAID was basically dismantled over the weekend—with the latest action of Secretary of State Marco Rubio now also serving as Acting Director of USAID.

This impacts people—the individuals who rely on lifesaving care, the citizens who need to safeguard against devastating disease outbreaks (such as Ebola in Uganda), the mothers seeking to protect their children, and the dedicated workers who make all of this possible—our community.

These abrupt policy changes, coupled with the stringent directives at HHS and DEI programs, have had profound and wide-ranging effects on global health initiatives and public health infrastructure. They have already disrupted ongoing health programs and research, impacted aid workers and health professionals, and raised significant concerns about the future of health programs, security, and research.

The sudden overhaul and disbandment of USAID pose significant risks to vital health initiatives in over 100 countries. This jeopardizes the agency’s efforts in disease prevention, maternal health, and more, potentially resulting in the wider spread of diseases and poorer health outcomes in underserved regions.

Professionals in the field are facing job loss, insecurity, and challenges in maintaining program continuity and effectiveness due to funding freezes and policy changes. They are navigating ethical dilemmas and operational challenges in an effort to deliver care amidst evolving regulations and diminished support for health programs. Health-focused NGOs, in particular, are at risk as they must swiftly adapt to funding cuts, seek alternative funding sources to maintain operations, and manage the impact on partnerships with local entities. Researchers are seeing interruptions in their work, losing access to crucial datasets, and encountering obstacles in conducting and publishing research that incorporates gender and diversity considerations, in addition to the NIH confusion. 

The administration’s moves appear to contravene established laws, particularly the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998, which ensures USAID’s independence, and specific provisions in the 2024 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act that require consultation with Congress before restructuring. Historical context shows that similar actions in the past involved extensive consultations and were guided by comprehensive legislative frameworks – these have not.  

Legal actions and congressional oversight are inevitable, yet it remains uncertain how effective these measures will be in the short term in mitigating the most harmful effects. Diminished aid budgets across Europe complicate their ability to alleviate the damage. 

But many members and partners are already taking action, including:

Scoping the Impact

Advocacy and Mobilization

Navigating the Legal Questions and Resources for Workers

 

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Sources and other Key News Stories:

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