OneAID Community Updates
- oneaidcommunity
- Apr 8
- 12 min read
Updated: Apr 29
April 8, 2025
Upcoming Events
⇨ Wednesday, April 9, 11:00 am ET and 7:00 pm ET: Town Halls for the Peace Corps Community. The National Peace Corps Association is holding two virtual town halls for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers following a DOGE visit to Peace Corps headquarters on April 4. Register here.
⇨ Friday, April 11, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm ET: GWU Humanitarian Action Initiative Foreign Aid Teach-In Day. George Washington University is hosting an educational event on foreign assistance, the U.S. government’s role, and funding freeze impacts. Register here.
⇨ Saturday, April 19, Time TBD: The next iteration of the Hands Off protests. Building on the momentum from last weekend’s protests across the country, organizers plan to protest against what they describe as a "hostile government takeover" overseen by the Trump administration. Stay up to date or sign up to host an event here.
Take Action
⇨ Contact Your Representatives! In the wake of recent actions by the Trump Administration, OneAID is calling on Congress to stop the Trump Administration’s illegal, unilateral shut down of USAID, and demand that Congress be consulted in any reorganization plan relating to USAID and/or the State Department. Call or email your Representatives and Senators now using this OneAID script.
Key Updates
● USAID Deputy Administrator, Jeremy Lewin, directs the termination of many of the remaining USAID funded lifesaving programs around the world
● U.S. government response to the Myanmar earthquake is hindered by the Trump administration’s self-imposed obstacles, including firing USAID humanitarian experts deployed to Myanmar
● A new executive order ends collective bargaining agreements for national security agencies
● The Trump administration denied pregnant USAID staff and family members critical care, resulting in life-threatening complications
More details below…
USAID Deputy Administrator, Jeremy Lewin, directs the termination of many of the remaining USAID funded lifesaving programs around the world
● Over the weekend, at the direction of USAID Deputy Administrator, Jeremy Lewin, more than $1.3 billion in life saving programs in some of the most dire humanitarian crises around the world were terminated. This was a continuation of cuts that began last week. At the time of publication, however, OneAID has received word that some terminations that occurred last week and over the weekend are being rapidly rescinded. This is another example of the chaos being caused as a result of hasty decisions by people not familiar with how these programs operate. An update will be shared once the information can be confirmed.
● Countries impacted by the cuts over the weekend include:
1. Afghanistan ($561,800,000, impacting at least 15% of the population) 2. Gaza ($12,275,000)
3. Haiti ($5,980,000)
4. Jordan ($58,000,000)
5. Lebanon ($148,240,000)
6. Niger ($8,689,946)
7. Palau ($2,399,450)
8. Papua New Guinea ($6,000,000)
9. Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) ($1,600,000)
10. Somalia ($169,800,000)
11. Syria ($237,238,280)
12. Yemen ($106,546,500)
● The cuts run in opposition to Secretary Rubio’s Emergency Humanitarian Waiver to Foreign Assistance Pause from January 28, which clarified exemptions to President Trump’s January 24 Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid. In a February 18 declaration in the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) et al. vs. President Donald J. Trump et al. case, Peter Marocco, Director of Foreign Assistance at the Department of State reiterated the Administration's commitment to issuing waivers for life-saving humanitarian aid. These actions stand in direct opposition to the waivers and previous statements.
○ In a statement, InterAction emphasized that there were active conversations among some partners with the U.S. government to scale up or extend some of these programs in crisis settings.
● Afghanistan: All remaining USAID humanitarian assistance awards to partners working in Afghanistan have been terminated.
○ On April 4, the Trump administration abruptly pulled funding for a Texas A&M University-implemented program that sends young Afghan women overseas for schooling amid Taliban prohibitions on women’s education. The program had previously received strong support in Congress. According to the project’s administrator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly, the young women will now return to Afghanistan and could face threats on their lives due to involvement with the program.
● Somalia: The UN reported earlier this year that Somalia’s escalating crisis amid drought and conflict (including with terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab and ISIS) could lead to 4.4 million people – nearly a quarter of the population – facing “crisis” levels of food insecurity between April and June 2025. Termination of WFP funding almost guarantees this estimate will increase.
● Yemen: After initial cuts to Yemen assistance last week, including Title II food assistance provided by WFP, the remaining nine awards were terminated this weekend as the final blow for USAID humanitarian assistance in the country. For Yemen–one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises–this could lead to famine, and according to one UN official, the termination included food that had already arrived in distribution centers. For years, the United Nations has emphasized that humanitarian aid, including U.S.-provided food, nutrition, and water support, has been the primary factor preventing famine in Yemen.
○ The aid suspension impacts the entire country, including substantial areas controlled by the Republic of Yemen Government, a key U.S. partner and the only actor on the ground capable of countering Houthi forces and presenting a viable alternative to Houthi control.
○ Beyond the devastating humanitarian impact, the cessation of aid in
government-held regions carries significant political and security implications. It risks undermining U.S. policy objectives and weakening the effectiveness of the ongoing U.S. air campaign against the Houthis by deepening the economic crisis and further eroding the Yemen Government’s capacity to function as a credible
alternative. This decision coincides with reports in local media that the
government is preparing to launch a ground offensive against the Houthis.
U.S. government response to the Myanmar earthquake is hindered by the Trump administration’s self-imposed obstacles, including firing USAID humanitarian experts deployed to Myanmar
● A three-person USAID humanitarian assessment team was deployed to Myanmar on April 2, five days after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck and killed more than 3,500 people, injured nearly 5,000, and devastated infrastructure in central Myanmar.
● On April 4, the three USAID staff members assisting with recovery efforts received termination notices while in Myanmar.
● The U.S. announced $9 million in humanitarian aid in response to the earthquake, while Russia and China have been more proactive in providing assistance. China announced nearly $14 million and sent 30 rescue teams.
○ The $9 million in humanitarian assistance from the U.S. is largely being channeled through funds and contracts from programs that had already been terminated by the Trump administration. Though some new funds have been obligated, USAID staff are reportedly being told to activate the terminated awards as a workaround and redirect the funds toward earthquake response. Some of these implementing partners still have outstanding invoices for work already performed that have yet to be paid.
○ USAID staff are working closely with implementing partners to reassure them that they will receive payment for costs incurred as a result of the pivot toward humanitarian programming, which was outside the scope of the original contracts.
New executive order ends collective bargaining agreements for national security agencies
● On March 27, President Trump signed an executive order, Exclusions From Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs, which removes specific federal agencies and subdivisions from the application of labor-management relations programs, claiming the move was due to their national security roles, including intelligence, counterintelligence, and investigative work.
○ The order declares that various departments, such as Defense, State, Justice, and Homeland Security, along with certain foreign service divisions, are excluded from these labor protections to ensure national security considerations are prioritized.
● As part of this executive order, USAID notified employee unions AFSA and AFGE that their collective bargaining agreements were no longer recognized. State employee unions were also notified that they no longer recognize their collective bargaining agreements.
○ This does not impact their ability to represent or litigate on behalf of USAID employees. AFSA is preparing a lawsuit to challenge the executive order and defend union members’ right to representation and union protections. AFGE filed a suit alongside the AFL-CIO and other federal employee unions on April 3.
Trump administration denied pregnant USAID staff and family members critical care, resulting in life-threatening complications
● In an interview with CNN, recently terminated USAID foreign service officer, Charlee Doom, described her experience after State Department leadership repeatedly denied a request for emergency medical evacuation for her pregnant wife from their duty post overseas.
● Despite advocacy by members of Congress, Trump administration officials refused to overturn the denial in time for the birth of Doom’s child. Doom, her wife, and their newborn remain in Thailand while her wife recovers from an obstetric hemorrhage. Per Doom, she knows of more than 70 other pregnant and postpartum USAID families, 3 of which have experienced miscarriages and 6 have experienced preterm births since February 11, with multiple babies spending extensive time in neonatal intensive care.
● The right to receive emergency medical evacuation is standard for U.S. citizens and their families serving overseas. Doom stated that her wife was the first case of an employee or eligible family member in the history of USAID to be denied a medical evacuation for pregnancy-related complications.
Consistent Topline Talking Points(last updated April 1)
Preserving Foreign Assistance as a U.S. Foreign Policy Tool
● An effort from the Trump administration and Congress to reform and streamline U.S. foreign assistance is welcome, but the approach taken to date is not a serious reform effort: it is an ineffective, sloppy power grab that has—unintentionally or not—destroyed the U.S foreign assistance apparatus and deprived the U.S. of a critical soft-power tool. Foreign assistance keeps us safer here at home while demonstrating American generosity and saving millions of lives around the world.
● The Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle USAID have left the U.S. without the systems, experienced personnel, or partners necessary to responsibly and strategically implement foreign assistance—making the U.S. weaker, less safe, and less prosperous.
● Due to the way in which USAID has been dismantled, it will take years to rebuild the capacity that has been critical support for countries to make progress on development and respond to humanitarian crises. At the same time, trust in the U.S. as a reliable partner is now in question around the world, as U.S. adversaries step in to fill the void. ● Americans agree: foreign assistance is a powerful U.S. soft-power tool and 89 percent of Americans support spending at least 1 percent of our federal budget on foreign aid. As we’ve seen, USAID is the first but not the last of this Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Federal Government. For this reason, Congress must halt these illegal actions by DOGE and instead implement a more strategic, sensible reform effort that restores the legislative branch’s important oversight function.
USAID: The first, but not the last
● USAID is the playbook for President Trump and Elon Musk’s plan for a rapid and potentially illegal overhaul of the U.S. government. This is being done without the Congressional approval and oversight required for those agencies codified by statute. Reform is welcome, but what DOGE is doing is not reform, it is taking a sledgehammer to destroy a vital tool of U.S. national security.
● Rep. Bacon (R-NE) underscored this in his comments to the Wall Street Journal: “[USAID was] funding a lot of stupid stuff—that’s a fact. But they’re also doing a lot of good stuff too. So you don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Instead of taking a sledgehammer, let’s get out the scalpel.”
● Instead of undertaking a reform effort—working closely with Congress as is required by law—DOGE has taken a “burn it all down” approach including mass firings and major infringements on Congress’s power of the purse. This may work for tech firms, but it is a dangerous approach for government institutions that must remain accountable to taxpayers, enforce laws, and deliver public goods.
Current Impact
American Economy and Jobs
● Confirmed Job Losses: 18,957 Americans have lost jobs, been furloughed, or placed on admin leave. 171,814 jobs globally (non-American) have been lost as of April 7, 2025.
National Security
● In his April 3 testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley, highlighted “Africa is a continent from which the United States cannot afford to shift its gaze. It is imperative that we create conditions where terrorist organizations and malign actors are unable to threaten our homeland, while simultaneously creating conditions for American economic interests to flourish.” Langley also highlighted China’s increasing efforts to replicate USAID programs in Africa.
○ In its efforts to shut down USAID, the Trump administration dismantled USAID’s Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization, which led the U.S. government’s work to foster stable and peaceful societies in complex political transitions and conflict-prone environments to create a foundation for sustainable development and advance U.S. national security interests—i.e. helping make the world a safer place for all, including Americans. Amid a rise in fragility and violence globally, the absence of USAID’s conflict prevention and stabilization programs, including in Africa, will likely lead to a more volatile, unsafe, and unpredictable international environment.
Health
● In Uganda, some organizations working to prevent the spread of Ebola reported that U.S. funding has not yet been restored. Per WHO, a total of 14 cases (12 confirmed and 2 probable) with 4 deaths were reported since the outbreak was declared on January 30.
● As a result of U.S. funding cuts and suspensions, UNAIDS reports continued impacts on HIV/AIDS prevention and response:
○ In Burundi, services to 86% of the approximately 80,000 people living with HIV in treatment have been affected.
○ In Namibia, an initiative to integrate cervical cancer services in HIV programming and services was severely disrupted when U.S.-funded staff were let go. Since then, there have been reported delays in the screening and treatment of precancerous cervical lesions among women living with HIV. Women living with HIV are at higher risk of HPV infection and cervical cancer linked to HPV.
○ In Togo, 11,000 people living with HIV will lose access to antiretroviral treatment; 24,769 people living with HIV will lose access to viral load testing; and 10,000 people, including pregnant women and their children, will miss out on testing.
○ In Angola, all community outreach programmes supported by PEPFAR in four of the country’s 21 provinces have stopped.
○ In Thailand, where the government funds 91% of its HIV treatment program, the U.S. halted support to community-led services and efforts to create an enabling environment for HIV service uptake by eliminating stigma and discrimination and strengthening human rights.
● In South Africa, U.S. funding cuts could lead to an estimated 500,000 HIV-related deaths in the next 10 years, according to the Desmond Tutu HIV Center.
Humanitarian Assistance
● In Afghanistan, at least 3.5 million children under the age of 5 require lifesaving nutrition treatment. U.S. funding cuts continue to have a significant impact on humanitarian response efforts and without immediate action, humanitarian actors warn that thousands of children under five will continue to suffer or die from malnutrition: ○ 80,173 children under 5 and women are already affected
○ 396 nutrition sites have closed
○ 32 out of 34 provinces across Afghanistan are affected
● In Mexico, advocates say the closure of shelters will generate opportunities for criminal organizations to take advantage of migrants. Nonprofits providing assistance to migrants and deportees, such as Casa del Migrante in Tijuana, are now in danger of closing as a result of U.S. funding cuts. Casa del Migrante has provided emergency assistance to tens of thousands of migrants since it opened 38 years ago. If new funding can’t be secured, Casa del Migrante may be forced to stop offering some services as soon as May 2025.
Democracy, Rights, and Governance
● The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) is among the largest international investigative journalism outfits, and its funding from USAID was recently cut by the Trump administration, forcing the organization to lay off 22% of its staff. Without journalists covering corruption issues, it could enable organized crime and corruption abroad, which ultimately could impact Americans at home. According to OCCRP, its investigations helped return more money to Americans than the cost to keep it open: every dollar invested in OCCRP has returned $100 to the U.S. Treasury or other government agencies, with an estimated total of $3 billion returned over time.
Education
● The Trump administration’s foreign aid cuts undermined the U.S. global education legacy by dismantling USAID’s successful education programs, which were improving literacy and access to education in countries like Kenya and Liberia. As the U.S. retreats, China is stepping in, offering scholarships and building alliances through its Confucius Institutes, positioning itself as a new global leader in education and ideological influence.
Environment
● From combating illegal fishing in the Galápagos islands to backing anti-rhino poaching initiatives in east Africa, the U.S. has been one of the largest funders of conservation around the world, providing, on average, 12.1% of the world’s biodiversity funding between 2015 and 2022, according to the OECD. The Trump administration’s cuts and funding reviews have resulted in a reduction of ranger patrols and critical restoration work, leaving vulnerable species with dramatically diminished protection. Conservation NGOs say the cuts have resulted in job losses and an immediate scaling back of projects, prompting concern for the future of the species they were meant to protect. None believe the shortfall can be made up from other funding sources.
Agriculture
● For decades, USAID has played a significant role in helping South American farmers switch from cultivating coca to growing food for export to curtail cocaine production. The Trump administration cut these programs. Planet Money explains how the War on Drugs got us… blueberries (27 minute listen).
Additional Resources for Information
● U.S. Foreign Aid Updates by Foreign Policy for America
● The Impact Map provides data on policy, funding, workforce changes, and local effects
● Musk Watch Doge Tracker of what is being cut and who is being impacted