The Trump Administration, through the U.S. Department of State, has issued an immediate suspension of all foreign assistance in line with the Executive Order signed by President Trump on January 20. This stop-work order halts critical, lifesaving global health programs funded by the U.S. Department of State and USAID, with devastating consequences for millions of people worldwide.

This decision directly impacts some of the world’s most vulnerable populations, cutting off essential interventions such as HIV/AIDS services, maternal and child health care, polio vaccinations, and malaria prevention and eradication efforts. Each day these programs remain paused, lives are put at risk, decades of progress are undone, and the trust and leadership the U.S. has built with global partners are eroded. Beyond the humanitarian toll, this move threatens America’s reputation, global standing, and long-term health and economic security.

1. Global Disease Threats Don’t Pause – Neither Should U.S. Leadership
   A U.S. stop-work order has halted efforts to battle a deadly Marburg outbreak in Tanzania and an mpox variant killing children in West Africa. These diseases don’t respect borders—without intervention, they could spread further. America’s global health leadership isn’t just humanitarian; it’s a matter of global security.
2. Bird Flu Already Reached U.S. Soil—Now We’ve Stopped Monitoring It
   The stop-work order halts bird flu surveillance in 49 countries—this, after an American already died from the disease. Early detection saves lives, prevents pandemics, and protects America. If we don’t track outbreaks abroad, we risk facing them at home.
3. A Step Backward in the Fight to Eradicate Polio
   We were close—so close—to wiping out polio. Now, with the stop-work order in effect, efforts to eliminate this paralyzing disease are on hold. Every delay risks resurgence, reversing decades of progress. America should be leading the charge—not stepping back. #EndPolio
4. Over $1 Billion in Life-Saving Medicine Donations—Stopped
   Pharmaceutical companies donate over $1B in drugs to eliminate diseases like river blindness and elephantiasis. But without coordination through U.S.-funded programs, those medicines won’t reach the people who need them. A pause now could mean a setback for entire regions on the verge of elimination.
5. Millions of Women and Children Left Without Care
   The stop-work order halts medicine, supplies, and staff support that provide prenatal care, safe childbirth, and vaccines to 90 million women and children. These aren’t just statistics—these are lives. Lives that depend on U.S. support.
6. 6.5 Million Orphans and Vulnerable Children Left Without Support
   Children affected by HIV in 23 countries rely on U.S.-funded programs for medical care, food, and education. The stop-work order suspends those services, abandoning the most vulnerable when they need us most. A child’s future shouldn’t be a casualty of bureaucracy. #HIV #GlobalHealth
7. 20 Million People Rely on Donated HIV Medicine—What Happens Now?
   HIV treatment isn’t optional—it’s life-sustaining. The stop-work order blocks donated drug supplies keeping 20 million people alive. Even brief interruptions increase the risk of resistance, worsening the crisis. We can’t afford to backtrack.
8. America’s Global Health Workforce is at Risk
   If exemptions aren’t made, the stop-work order will furlough all USAID contract staff—including half of its 900-person Global Health Bureau. Losing these experts in the middle of global health crises is reckless and short-sighted.
9. Foreign Aid Is an Investment in America’s Safety, Strength, and Prosperity
   The U.S. funds global health because it makes America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.
   – Detecting and containing diseases abroad keeps them from reaching U.S. shores.
   – Stronger health systems mean fewer crises, fewer refugees, and more stability.
   – Healthier populations foster economic growth, opening markets for U.S. businesses.
   – Stopping this work now is not just morally wrong—it’s strategically unsound.
10. A Halt in U.S. Aid Puts Lives at Risk—Here’s the Global Toll
    From Africa to Asia to Latin America, the U.S. stop-work order is leaving millions without essential care
    – 600,000 people in Sudan lose access to food, water, and healthcare.
    – 900,000 people in Syria face worsening conditions, fueling instability.
    – 1.2 million people in the DRC lose lifesaving health and nutrition support.
    – 15,000 people in Haiti will go hungry, increasing vulnerability to gang violence.
    – This isn’t just a delay—it’s a crisis. America’s global leadership is on the line.
11. Malaria Doesn’t Wait—Why Are We?
    The stop-work order has halted critical malaria prevention campaigns just before peak transmission season.
    – Kenya: 1.45 million people left unprotected.
    – Uganda: 3.2 million at risk.
    – Ethiopia: 2.6 million won’t receive bed nets.
    Miss this window, and lives will be lost. Malaria is preventable, but only if we act now.
12. Children Are Paying the Price for Political Delays
    Millions of children rely on U.S.-funded vaccines, malnutrition treatment, and medical care. The stop-work order means:
    No vaccinations against measles, polio, or tetanus.
    No treatment for deadly malnutrition.
    No safe childbirth services for pregnant mothers.
    Children don’t get a second chance. Their survival shouldn’t be up for debate.
13. HIV/AIDS Progress Stalled—Lives in Danger
    Each day, PEPFAR supports
    – 222,000 people receiving HIV treatment.
    – 224,000 HIV tests—identifying 4,374 new cases.
    – Care for 17,695 orphans & vulnerable children.
    These services will stop without urgent action. Halting treatment leads to drug resistance, loss of life, and rising
    infections. We know how to end AIDS—why stop now?
14. A Global Stop-Work Order, A Global Security Risk
    The U.S. stop-work order isn’t just a humanitarian crisis—it’s a security risk.
    – In Syria, cutting aid puts 900,000 people at risk—leaving space for ISIS and other adversaries to step in.
    – In Sudan, disease outbreaks will explode among 600,000 displaced people.
    – In Haiti, hunger will fuel gang recruitment and instability.
    When America steps back, bad actors step forward. #NationalSecurity #GlobalStability
15. Polio’s Not Over—And Now, We’re Slowing the Fight
    The world was close to eradicating polio. The stop-work order stops vital polio vaccination and tracking efforts.
    A single case can spark an outbreak—delays now could bring polio back to places where it was nearly eliminated.
    Polio anywhere is a risk everywhere. Let’s finish the job. #EndPolioNow #VaccinesSaveLives
16. U.S. Aid Prevents the Next Pandemic
    Stopping U.S. global health programs means stopping disease surveillance for
    – Bird flu in 49 countries.
    – Ebola and mpox in Africa.
    – Drug-resistant tuberculosis worldwide.
    The next pandemic threat is already out there. The question is: will we see it coming?
17. The U.S. Private Sector Loses, Too
    Foreign aid isn’t just humanitarian—it benefits American businesses. The stop-work order halts
    – Over $1 billion in pharmaceutical donations.
    – Global partnerships with U.S. biotech and health companies.
    – Research and data systems built with U.S. technology.
    A healthy world means a healthier U.S. economy. Cutting aid hurts us all.
18. Women & Girls Left Without Protection
    The stop-work order means
    – 50,000+ women in Ethiopia at risk of fatal malnutrition.
    – 22,000 women in Central America lose domestic violence protection.
    – 1,000 Afghan midwives fired, cutting off maternal care where it’s needed most.
    Women’s lives are not optional. Cutting aid sets them back generations.
19. USAID’s Workforce Gutted—A Blow to American Leadership
    If the stop-work order isn’t lifted soon
    – Half of USAID’s 900-person Global Health Bureau will be furloughed.
    – Programs in dozens of countries will grind to a halt.
    – Decades of American expertise will be wasted.
    – U.S. global health leadership doesn’t just happen—it’s built by skilled professionals. Let’s not lose them.
20. From Peru to Pakistan—Who Loses If We Stop U.S. Aid?
    – Pakistan: 62 health facilities shut down, leaving refugee women without care.
    – Peru & Ecuador: Nearly 100,000 refugees lose services that help them stay—rather than migrate to the U.S.
    – Ukraine & Moldova: 409,000+ lose access to safe spaces and economic support.
    These are our allies. If we abandon them, who will step in?

Advocacy material developed by the Global Health Council (GHC)

Update:

• A temporary waiver was approved to ensure the continuation of life-saving humanitarian assistance programs during the review of U.S. foreign aid policy under President Trump’s Executive Order. The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued the waiver to allow humanitarian aid during the 90-day pause in foreign assistance.

Impact in Nepal

• USAID Health Direct Financing, Health Programmes under Government-to-Government (G2G) agreements
• USAID Clean Air Program
• USAID Food Security Monitoring
• USAID Global Health Security Activity
• USAID Integrated Nutrition
• USAID Learning for Development
• USAID Local Works Support
• USAID Localization Support
• USAID Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH)
• USAID Promoting the Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+)
• Other pipeline projects and aid through UN agencies and partners

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