The Trump administration’s drastic cuts to USAID funding—over $60 billion and 90% of contracts—have halted essential humanitarian aid across the Middle East and North Africa. Countries like Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Gaza, and Jordan are enduring severe repercussions, including job losses, healthcare halts, and increased suffering among vulnerable populations. The sudden cessation of aid is expected to exacerbate ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises in the region.
The recent decision by the Trump administration to significantly cut USAID funding is causing severe humanitarian repercussions across the Middle East and North Africa. The elimination of $60 billion in aid and over 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts has abruptly halted essential programs that provide food and healthcare to millions affected by conflicts such as those in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Furthermore, Jordan faces an uncertain future, with development projects at risk of being canceled, leading to potential job losses in the economy.
As countries in the region began to observe Ramadan, the timing of these cuts intensified the crisis. Internal memos from the US administration indicate that much of the foreign assistance funding is being slashed as part of a broader effort to eliminate what officials describe as longstanding waste within the agency. Republicans claim these cuts align with their view of wastefulness in USAID and aim to better prioritize taxpayer dollars.
The drastic measures commenced with an executive order that halted foreign assistance for a comprehensive review. Within a brief period, the Department of Government Efficiency scrutinized USAID programs, leading to the termination of nearly all multi-year contracts. As a result, critical functions—ranging from healthcare provisioning to economic development—have ceased, leaving many vulnerable populations without aid and many aid workers facing unemployment.
Particularly in Iraq, where millions remain displaced since the war against Daesh, the abrupt cessation of USAID funding is devastating. The agency had contributed over $220 million in 2023 towards rebuilding efforts, supporting clean water, food supply, and healthcare services. The loss of this crucial funding has led to grave concerns surrounding the potential resurgence of instability and radical ideologies in a country still recovering from conflict.
In Syria, where access to aid faced numerous challenges due to the ongoing civil war, USAID funding was vital for supporting millions in need. The sudden withdrawal of funds has left many aid organizations scrambling to manage existing debts without the anticipated financial support, greatly exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of people will be deprived of essential services such as food and clean water due to the funding cuts.
The situation in Gaza also deteriorated, as aid supplies have dwindled following the freezing of USAID funds amidst ongoing conflict. Past support has been substantial—totaling approximately $2.1 billion since October 2023—but recent layoffs and contract terminations have left the local population vulnerable. The looming threats to ceasefire agreements raise alarms about the implications of reduced aid support both for Palestinians and regional stability.
Jordan, which relies heavily on USAID for economic development, is experiencing a ripple effect from the funding cuts. With USAID accounting for a significant portion of its GDP, project freezes have led to job losses within various sectors, particularly affecting small companies that depend on US support for growth initiatives. The funding loss not only impacts individual businesses but also threatens the broader economic stability of the kingdom.
Furthermore, Yemen—a country in a state of humanitarian crisis—will be severely affected by these cuts. With a substantial portion of aid historically sourced from the US through USAID, the cessation of funding at such a critical moment poses substantial risks to ongoing humanitarian efforts addressing food insecurity and other critical needs. The result will likely exacerbate the already dire situation for millions in Yemen, many of whom require urgent assistance.
The cuts in USAID funding initiated by the Trump administration have created a fallout across multiple nations in the Middle East and North Africa, threatening the stability of regions already facing humanitarian crises. With millions left without vital aid in countries like Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Jordan, and Gaza, the potential for increased suffering and instability has become alarmingly real. The implications of these funding reductions may hinder efforts to stabilize critical alliances and support essential humanitarian initiatives. As the region grapples with these newfound challenges, the United States’ role in ameliorating these crises stands to be critically reassessed.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
