The Trump administration’s decision to freeze nearly $60 billion in foreign aid has had devastating consequences, despite initial assurances that lifesaving operations would continue. Aid organizations worldwide rushed to prove the efficacy of their programs to secure permission to operate. However, in a sudden and far-reaching move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with a top aide Peter Marocco, terminated nearly 10,000 aid programs, including critical initiatives like field hospitals in Gaza and HIV drug supplies in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This abrupt decision has jeopardized the lives of vulnerable populations, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands could be at risk. Legal battles have ensued, with questions raised about the administration’s lack of a thorough review process before cutting off funding. The administration’s actions have also led to the closure of essential programs, leaving organizations struggling to continue their lifesaving work.

The consequences of these terminations are stark, with real people facing immediate dangers like starvation and disease outbreaks. The impact is far-reaching, affecting programs that combat HIV, tuberculosis, and Ebola. The hasty and seemingly careless manner in which these decisions were made has raised concerns about the legality and ethics of dismantling crucial foreign aid programs. As aid workers scramble to navigate this new reality, the future of humanitarian efforts hangs in the balance, with lives at stake due to the abrupt and drastic changes in foreign aid policies.