In response to the reported Trump administration proposal for the future of the State Department and US foreign aid, Oxfam America President & CEO Abby Maxman said:
“The new reported Trump administration’s proposal for the future of the State Department, including what remains of US foreign aid, will cause further suffering and have life or death consequences for millions around the world who are already living through dire humanitarian crises. It outlines sweeping cuts that could include programs like urgent food, water, and health care, education and other support for women, children and communities. The Trump administration cannot legally enact these changes on its own - Congress must take a stand against these dangerous cuts to foreign aid and reject this proposal.
“The U.S. has built a legacy of providing lifesaving aid in emergencies and longer-term support to help build stable communities. The administration’s cuts, along with the proposed withdrawal of funding from key institutions like the United Nations, will plunge millions into hunger, disease, and increase other threats, making the world more dangerous and unstable for us all. We have already seen the devastating impacts of the administration’s illegal assault on USAID in the chaotic review period; these proposed cuts would only worsen the turmoil. This process has not only put millions of lives on the line, but has undermined the reputation of the United States as a partner in many of the global issues we must work together to tackle.
“We know that U.S. humanitarian programs have saved and improved millions of lives, and that the majority of Americans support them. The fight is not over – Oxfam America is continuing its legal challenge to the illegal assault on US foreign aid programs and continuing to push for a system that puts leadership opportunities and resources directly in the hands of local organizations and people, especially women and other marginalized groups.
“Congress must take strong, unified action to hold the line against these cuts or we will soon watch an untold number of preventable tragedies unfold before our eyes.”
Notes to editors:
Polling has shown majority of Americans support US foreign assistance: https://www.kff.org/global-health-policy/poll-finding/kff-health-tracking-poll-february-2025-the-publics-views-on-global-health-and-usaid/
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