- U.S.-funded projects worldwide, including those in Sudan and South Africa, received termination notices.
- The move follows a review of foreign aid under Trump’s “America First” agenda.
- Over 90% of USAID programs, including HIV and TB initiatives, were canceled.
- The UN and major global health organizations have been affected.
- Experts warn the cuts could roll back years of progress in disease prevention and treatment.
The Trump administration has issued termination notices for numerous U.S.-funded projects worldwide, triggering concern among global health organizations. These cuts come after a 90-day review of foreign aid policies intended to align funding with Trump’s “America First” agenda.
Despite previous assurances from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio that life-saving services would be exempt, a February 25 court document revealed that over 90% of USAID programs were canceled, including projects addressing HIV and tuberculosis.
Global Health Programs Affected
Several UN-backed initiatives, such as UNAIDS, the Stop TB Partnership, and Scaling Up Nutrition, were among those that received termination notices. Organizations working with displaced populations in conflict zones, such as the Danish Refugee Council, were also impacted.
“We are hit, but we will continue to be there,” said Lucica Ditiu, executive director of the Stop TB Partnership. She noted that although alternative funding sources exist, the group will have to terminate contracts with 140 partners providing essential TB treatment.
Humanitarian Groups Express Outrage
Charlotte Slente, secretary general of the Danish Refugee Council, called the move an “egregious breach of contracts,” adding that millions of vulnerable people will suffer as a result.
“While it is understood that incoming governments want to review their overseas development assistance, the decisions from the U.S. government over the last month are abrupt and unilateral,” she said.
Severe Impact on HIV/AIDS Treatment in South Africa
In South Africa, where nearly 8 million people live with HIV, experts warned that the funding cuts could reverse years of progress.
“The U.S. funding cuts are dismantling the system. HIV treatment is crumbling. TB services are collapsing,” said International AIDS Society President Beatriz Grinsztejn.
Linda-Gail Bekker, from the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, warned that lives would be lost, especially among women, children, and marginalized groups. The U.S. previously provided about 17% of South Africa’s HIV/AIDS budget.
A Blow to Humanitarian Efforts
Many organizations have struggled due to the termination notices. Nonprofit Humanity & Inclusion, which provides aid to people with disabilities, lost about half of its 30 contracts with the U.S. government.
Hannah Guedenet, the group’s U.S. executive director, criticized the move:
“If you want to cut funding, there’s a way to responsibly do that. And that is not what’s being done. This is complete disregard for human life.”
The U.S. State Department has not provided a clear explanation for why these programs were terminated, further deepening concerns among global aid organizations.
