The expiration of President Donald Trump’s 90-day suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid on April 20 raised hopes for the return of crucial funding across Africa and other heavily impacted regions.
- Trump’s 90-day suspension of U.S. humanitarian aid expired on April 20
- The suspension caused devastating blows to Africa’s healthcare industry
- Deep scars are left across Africa’s health landscape with rising malnutrition, vaccine shortages, and escalating health crises
However, the 90-day suspension of U.S humanitarian aid has failed to reposition healthcare centers and sectors that were heavily dependent on U.S. support, instead dealing a series of devastating blows to Africa’s healthcare industry.
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Trump’s freeze on $72 billion in U.S. spending led to the shutdown of hundreds of aid projects in over 200 countries, affecting nearly 10,000 USAID staff.
The administration ultimately terminated 5,341 projects worth $75 billion and moved to drastically reduce USAID staffing.
Despite the official end of the pause, Africa’s healthcare industry continues to suffer from severe funding shortages, medicine stockouts, and staffing crises.
Vital programs tackling HIV, maternal mortality, and infectious diseases remain disrupted, heightening fears of a worsening public health emergency.
In a recent statement, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), an international medical humanitarian organization, revealed that three months after the Trump administration’s aid suspension, the U.S. had slashed funding for global health and humanitarian programs, dismantled oversight structures, and dismissed key staff.
As a result, patients worldwide struggled to access treatment, medical providers battled to maintain essential services, while aid groups warned of rising needs in already crisis-hit regions.
“These sudden cuts by the Trump administration are a human-made disaster for the millions of people struggling to survive amid wars, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies,” says Avril Benoît, CEO of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the US.
The statement also revealed that the U.S. plans to extend the initial 90-day foreign aid review by another 30 days, according to an internal State Department email.
How U.S. aid cuts strain Africa’s healthcare
The end of Trump’s 90-day aid pause has left deep scars across Africa’s health landscape. From rising malnutrition in Somalia to vaccine shortages in the DRC, eight nations are now facing escalating health crises.
Here’s how the cuts are impacting African nations across key health sectors:
- Somalia – Malnutrition Crisis
In Somalia, drought and clinic closures have left hundreds of malnourished children without care. Without urgent intervention, the country risks sliding toward widespread famine.
- South Africa – HIV Program Disruption
South Africa’s HIV programs are unraveling as critical services shut down. The collapse threatens to undo years of progress against the epidemic.
- Uganda – HIV Program Disruption
In Uganda, HIV treatment and prevention services are being scaled back. This disruption puts thousands at risk of losing life-saving medication and support.
- Zimbabwe – HIV Program Disruption and Cervical Cancer Neglect
Zimbabwe faces a dual crisis: vital HIV programs are closing, and community outreach for cervical cancer prevention has been halted, leaving women especially vulnerable.
- South Sudan – Cholera Outbreaks and Mental Health Service Collapse
Cholera is spreading rapidly in South Sudan amid collapsing water infrastructure. At the same time, mental health services for displaced communities are disappearing.
- Ethiopia – Cholera Outbreaks, Clean Water Collapse, and Mental Health Service Collapse
Ethiopia faces surging cholera outbreaks and deteriorating access to clean water. Refugee camps have also lost vital mental health services for survivors of violence.
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- Nigeria – Sexual and Reproductive Health Crisis
Nigeria’s maternal and infant health is at risk as sexual and reproductive services are disrupted. Emergency birth kits, contraceptives, and critical care are increasingly scarce.
- Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Sexual and Reproductive Health Crisis and Vaccination Crisis
In DRC, both reproductive health programs and vaccination campaigns are under threat. Millions of children could go unvaccinated against preventable diseases like measles and polio.
