The Trump administration’s drastic cuts to USAID’s budget, totaling $60 billion and affecting 90% of contracts, are severely impacting humanitarian aid across the Middle East and North Africa. Countries like Iraq, Syria, Gaza, Jordan, and Yemen are facing significant assistance withdrawals, risking exacerbation of ongoing crises and leading to widespread job losses. The timing of these cuts coincides with Ramadan, underscoring the critical need for humanitarian support during this sacred period.
The recent cuts in foreign aid by the Trump administration, amounting to $60 billion and affecting 90 percent of USAID contracts, are wreaking havoc across the Middle East and North Africa. Nations including Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, already suffering from conflict and humanitarian crises, are seeing critical support for food, healthcare, and economic development disappear. Thousands of job losses are anticipated as aid programs halt just as Ramadan begins, a month traditionally associated with charity and community support.
The internal memo from the US administration articulated a strategy to eliminate significant waste due to institutional drift at USAID. Republican lawmakers have criticized USAID for perceived inefficiencies and having a liberal agenda. Supporters of the agency argue that its work represents a mere fraction of the federal budget and is essential for advancing American interests abroad through soft power.
Following an executive order on January 20, aid was halted for a review period, leading to rapid cancellations of contracts by USAID. Nearly 5,800 of the agency’s contracts have already been terminated, crippling missions that provided vital food, health, and economic assistance globally. Furthermore, the State Department’s cuts entail massive employment reductions at USAID and threaten further instability in the region.
In Iraq, where over a million displaced individuals are still unable to return home post-conflict, USAID’s functions—such as clean water, food aid, and economic support—have come to a standstill. An USAID officer expressed bitter concern for the lives that will be lost and the long recovery that now looks impossible. The officer noted that the cessation of funding risks allowing extremist ideologies to take root again in the region.
Syria, facing a devastating civil conflict for years, saw a brief opportunity for coordinated aid efforts following changes in governance. However, the abrupt termination of aid contracts has led to immediate project halts and left organizations struggling to maintain essential services under increasing debt. The humanitarian needs for 16 million Syrians remain critical, and many NGOs now face the threat of leaving the country entirely.
In Gaza, where over two million people depend on humanitarian assistance, the freeze on USAID has disrupted crucial aid flow, threatening the recent ceasefire established post-conflict. Former USAID officials have voiced fears about the dire implications of reduced support, stressing that the loss of aid will exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Without immediate action, the UN’s ability to sustain basic provisions is tenuous.
Jordan, a key ally to the US, depends heavily on USAID support for economic development, receiving significant funding that has ripple effects throughout its economy. With recent cuts, thousands of jobs are at risk, and businesses like Wishbox Media are experiencing the harsh consequences of abruptly halted projects aimed at empowering women in the workforce. The loss of support from USAID is felt with weight across multiple sectors in the Jordanian economy.
Finally, Yemen’s humanitarian crisis is deepening as the country has heavily relied on USAID funding for much of its support. With half the population requiring urgent assistance, the cuts threaten ongoing projects that provide critical food, healthcare, and sanitation services. Given the context of the Ramadan season, the timing of these aid cutbacks compels immediate concern for the vulnerable populations affected.
The Trump administration’s severe reductions in foreign aid, particularly from USAID, are causing significant humanitarian challenges across the Middle East and North Africa. Major nations such as Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Gaza, and Yemen are facing dire consequences from these cuts, risking exacerbation of existing crises and leading to loss of life and increased instability. The urgent needs of millions in the region call for an immediate reassessment of foreign aid policies to reinforce critical support for vulnerable populations.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
