The Trump administration’s decision to halt and restructure U.S. foreign aid is crippling international efforts to combat famine, leaving millions at risk of severe hunger. The sudden freeze, imposed by President Donald Trump upon returning to the White House on January 20, has disrupted crucial humanitarian programs worldwide.
The 90-day spending suspension, aimed at reassessing foreign aid programs, has already caused severe delays in food distribution. Although Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced exemptions for emergency food assistance, confusion and bureaucratic hurdles have resulted in stalled aid deliveries.
The shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the country’s top humanitarian aid provider, has left over 500,000 metric tons of food—worth approximately $340 million—stranded in transit or storage. In famine-stricken regions like Sudan, essential supplies, including lentils, rice, and wheat, remain undelivered, jeopardizing the survival of more than two million people.
“We are the one thing that nearly everyone agrees on – that little children who are starving need emergency aid,” said Mark Moore, CEO of Mana Nutrition, one of two major suppliers ordered to halt production of life-saving nutritional supplements. Although the stop-work orders on these manufacturers were later rescinded, the overall uncertainty has paralyzed humanitarian operations.
Further exacerbating the crisis is the abrupt closure of the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a critical U.S.-funded program that monitored global food security threats. Since 1985, FEWS NET has provided early warnings to policymakers, helping prevent famine through timely intervention. Without it, aid organizations lack vital data to assess and respond to food crises effectively.
“Ending FEWS NET is like taking the steering wheel off the car,” said Andrew Natsios, former USAID administrator. “Even if the car is working fine, without a steering wheel, you don’t know where it’s going.”
In a dramatic overhaul, the Trump administration has slashed USAID’s workforce, retaining fewer than 300 staff members out of more than 10,000 worldwide. The move, driven by billionaire businessman Elon Musk, a close Trump ally, aims to merge USAID with the State Department, a plan that may require congressional approval.
The abrupt layoffs have left thousands of humanitarian projects in limbo. Critics warn that dismantling USAID could have catastrophic consequences for global stability, particularly in regions suffering from conflict and extreme poverty.
“A lot of people will not survive,” warned J. Brian Atwood, former USAID head, highlighting the agency’s crucial role in saving lives across 130 countries.
The U.S. government, which contributed nearly 38% of global humanitarian aid in recent years, plays a pivotal role in combating hunger. However, with critical programs frozen, warehouses stocked with perishable food, and aid workers left without guidance, the global famine response system is facing an unprecedented crisis.
As uncertainty looms over the fate of USAID, humanitarian leaders fear the devastating effects of prolonged inaction. Without swift intervention, millions of vulnerable people worldwide may be left without the food and aid they desperately need.
Despite mounting concerns, the U.S. State Department has not responded to requests for comment on the situation. Meanwhile, aid organizations continue to push for clarity, urging the administration to lift restrictions and allow essential humanitarian efforts to resume.
The coming weeks will determine whether the Trump administration’s foreign aid freeze marks a temporary disruption or a long-term dismantling of the United States’ role in global humanitarian relief.