Impact of USAID Cuts on Humanitarian Aid in MENA

The Trump administration’s cuts to USAID funding have halted critical aid programs in the Middle East and North Africa, affecting the most vulnerable populations during Ramadan. Key humanitarian support in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza is at risk, resulting in severe consequences for millions who rely on these services for their survival and stability.

The Trump administration’s decision to slash $60 billion in foreign aid orchestrated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has severely impacted vulnerable populations across the Middle East and North Africa. Aid programs that provided essential food and healthcare are halting in conflict-affected countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, worsening the humanitarian crisis as the holy month of Ramadan begins.

In a memo, the Trump administration cited the need to eliminate perceived waste and enhance the efficiency of taxpayer dollars in advancing U.S. interests through significant cuts in USAID’s budget. Many Republican lawmakers deem USAID as inefficient, while supporters argue that it is a vital form of American soft power, costing less than one percent of the federal budget.

The crisis escalated when President Trump signed an executive order halting foreign assistance for a 90-day review. This order impacted the agency’s humanitarian work, halting nearly 5,800 multi-year contracts and resulting in widespread job losses among the USAID workforce and NGOs dependent on its support.

In Iraq, where over a million people remain displaced from the Daesh conflict, cuts to USAID will further destabilize the nation. The agency’s essential programs for clean water, healthcare, and economic development have ceased, jeopardizing the livelihoods of countless Iraqis dependent on its support.

The situation in Syria, where 16 million people require humanitarian assistance, is becoming dire as programs funded by USAID have been suspended. Organizations able to administer vital aid cannot operate with their funding cut, leading to life-threatening shortages of food, water, and medical care for struggling populations.

In Gaza, the freeze on USAID aid disrupts the provision of crucial humanitarian assistance to over two million residents reliant on support amidst ongoing hostilities. As local organizations halt operations, the potential for further unrest increases without this critical aid infrastructure.

Jordan, recognized as a stable U.S. ally, has also felt the sting of these funding cuts, leading to significant job losses as the economy suffers from the absence of USAID support. Local businesses, especially those empowering women, find their projects jeopardized amidst the climate of uncertainty.

Lastly, Yemen faces one of the worst humanitarian crises globally, with half of its population in need of assistance. The deep cuts to USAID severely threaten the continuation of critical aid, as millions depend on these programs for survival amid prolonged conflict and suffering.

The significant reduction in USAID funding under the Trump administration poses grave risks to the humanitarian infrastructure in the Middle East and North Africa. With the cessation of vital aid programs, vulnerable populations across countries such as Iraq, Syria, Gaza, Jordan, and Yemen face exacerbated suffering. This escalates not only humanitarian crises but also destabilizes regions crucial to U.S. interests, underscoring the importance of continued commitment to foreign aid.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com