90 days ago, President Trump signed an Executive Order that began the assault on U.S. foreign aid and led to the illegal dismantling of USAID. Led by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, the sudden funding freeze and chaotic processes that followed left millions of people in the world’s poorest communities in limbo, with immediate life-threatening gaps in programs and widespread uncertainty if they could still access food, vaccines, education and more.
Oxfam America published a Media Brief today, sharing newly gathered testimonials and statistics demonstrating the impact of these cuts, along with the latest on our lawsuit, calls to action and more.
U.S. government funding accounted for over 50% of global humanitarian response in 2024, despite accounting for only around 1% of the U.S. federal budget. As the 90-day deadline approached, there were reports of an additional 30-day extension, another unexpected development in this chaotic review process, leaving organizations and people relying on US aid in limbo.
Abby Maxman, Oxfam America President & CEO, said, “At the close of the Trump administration’s 90 day review of foreign aid, we have already seen deadly consequences for women, children and communities across the world. People living through unthinkable circumstances have now been deprived of lifesaving food, water, and health and hygiene support.”
The global network of organizations working together to provide lifesaving and long-term support are still receiving mixed messages about funding to continue their operations and are now witnessing the real-time devastation as the ripple effects become clearer.
While Oxfam America does not receive U.S. government funding, as part of the already overstretched and underfunded global aid and advocacy community our programs and those of partner organizations around the globe have been immediately, severely impacted.
Abdoulaye Ouédraogo, General Coordinator of the NGO APIL and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Permanent Secretariat of Non-Governmental Organizations (SPONG) said, "The sudden cessation of U.S. funding has had the effect of an earthquake, profoundly shaking the capacity for action of many national and international organizations. At SPONG, we are deeply concerned about the impact on at least 19 of our members. These NGOs, essential pillars of development and humanitarian aid in the field, have been forced to suspend their activities, jeopardizing vital interventions benefiting nearly 710,000 people.
“Behind these alarming figures lie poignant human realities: Access to drinking water projects interrupted, community health programs halted, psychosocial support for vulnerable populations undermined. In addition, 273 jobs are currently under threat, plunging entire families into uncertainty and putting the institutional survival of these committed organizations to the test."
The fight is not over - Oxfam America is continuing our legal efforts to protect U.S. foreign aid and the people supported by it. The Trump administration has moved to dismiss our case, despite our clear demonstration of the harm their reckless and illegal attacks have caused to organizations like Oxfam America, and most importantly to the communities we work with everyday who are caught in life-threatening crises. On April 21, we filed a motion challenging the U.S. government's attempt to dismiss our lawsuit.
We are calling for Congress to take strong, unified action to hold the line against these cuts to save an untold number of lives, and to support the next generation of children who have been forced to live through crisis, and rely on this support to grow, learn, and survive.
Maxman continued, “We know humanitarian programs save lives and help build a more stable world for communities in crisis and for us all, so we are still fighting this illegal and ugly attack on U.S. foreign aid – and will continue to work with partners to do all we can to fill the massive gaps left behind.”
Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. We offer lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocate for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action. We demand equal rights and equal treatment so that everyone can thrive, not just survive. The future is equal. Join us at oxfamamerica.org.
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Notes to Editors:
Oxfam America published a Media Brief today marking the immeasurable human toll of U.S. foreign aid cuts and warning those impacts will rise exponentially. The brief includes additional testimonials, sources and resources on the impacts of U.S. foreign aid cuts.
Oxfam is collecting testimonials from staff and partners to show the immediate and growing impacts of foreign aid funding cuts, available upon request.