The U.S. government’s decision to slash over 90% of USAID foreign aid contracts, cutting nearly $60 billion in funding, is already having a severe impact across Africa.
The abrupt termination of 10,000 aid contracts has forced the closure of lifesaving programs, leaving millions without access to food, healthcare, and essential services.
According to the United Nations, these cuts will exacerbate hunger, weaken health systems, and reduce efforts to combat terrorism, human trafficking, and the spread of diseases across fragile African nations. The move comes as many of these countries already struggle with climate change, conflict, and economic instability.
Here’s how some African nations are affected:
• Democratic Republic of Congo – Action Against Hunger will stop treating tens of thousands of malnourished children from May, which the charity said will put the children in “mortal danger.”
• Ethiopia – Food assistance stopped for more than 1 million people, according to the Tigray Disaster Risk Management Commission. The Ministry of Health was also forced to terminate the contract of 5,000 workers across the country focused on HIV and malaria prevention, vaccinations and helping vulnerable women deal with the trauma of war.
• Senegal – The biggest malaria project closed. It distributed bed nets and medication to tens of thousands of people, according to a USAID worker who was not authorized to speak to the media. Maternal and child health and nutrition services also closed. They provided lifesaving care to tens of thousands of pregnant women and treatment that would have prevented and treated acute malnutrition.
• South Sudan – The International Rescue Committee closed a health project that provided medical care and nutrition services to more than 115,000 people.
• Sudan – 90 communal kitchens closed in the capital, Khartoum, leaving more than half a million people without consistent access to food, according to the International Rescue Committee.
• Mali – Critical aid such as access to water, food and health services was cut for more than 270,000 people, according to an aid group that did not want to be named for fear of reprisal.
• Burkina Faso – More than 400,000 people lost access to services such as water. Services for gender-based violence and child protection for thousands are also no longer available, according to an aid group that did not want to be named for fear of reprisal.
• Somalia – 50 health centers servicing more than 19,000 people a month closed because health workers are not being paid, according to Alright, a U.S aid group.
• Kenya – More than 600,000 people living in areas plagued by drought and persistent acute malnutrition will lose access to lifesaving food and nutrition support, according to Mercy Corps.
• Nigeria – 25,000 extremely malnourished children will stop receiving food assistance by April, according to the International Rescue Committee.
The ripple effects of these cuts will be devastating for Africa, where millions rely on U.S.-funded programs for basic survival. Aid groups warn that without urgent intervention, malnutrition, disease, and instability could worsen across the continent.
