As a notable policy change the Trump administration cut funding from many programs which earlier were considered vital to saving lives. Through this decision the administration eliminates multiple global health programs that involve water sanitation and housing support together with HIV/AIDS medical care for infants and children.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) faces extreme difficulties as more than 90 percent of its worldwide global development projects have received formal disbanding notices. The immediate termination affects thousands of funding agreements and operational awards which endanger essential services needed to fight HIV and tuberculosis and malaria diseases.
These funding reductions have begun to produce their effects throughout the world. Due to reduced U.S. aid the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has officially announced the ultimate closure of its southern Africa bureau. The shutdown creates uncertainty regarding long-term feeding assistance to the many people who rely on World Food Programme support during ongoing drought conditions.
Medical experts are studying the new disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo which has Ebola-like symptoms because it killed over 60 people while infecting more than 1000 victims. The break-up of USAID operations has created delays in research and containment work for the current outbreak. The experts note that USAID formerly took a leading role in monitoring diseases and rapid response operations thus its termination resulted in a substantial shortage in worldwide health response capabilities.
Health professionals have issued warnings because the recent budget cuts for aid imply devastating results for humans. The acting assistant administrator for global health at USAID Nicholas Enrich predicted that reduced funding would generate more preventable mortality conditions and disabilities together with adverse changes in global stability and enhanced national security challenges. The official demanded that the administration reinstate all life-saving assistance programs to stop the advancement of a humanitarian catastrophe.
The permanent cancellation of these foreign aid programs creates an essential turning point in American diplomatic strategy which impacts the entire scope of international health programs and relief initiatives. The world now must deal with this funding gap because it threatens global healthcare services along with humanitarian assistance programs worldwide.