USAID freeze forces Action Against Hunger to halt lifesaving programs, putting millions of children at risk

The ripple effects of the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) funding freeze on vulnerable communities worldwide have come into sharp focus. We catch up with the US-based humanitarian organization, Action Against Hunger, whose global staff and communities are facing an uncertain future. 

Thirty percent of the humanitarian aid organization’s programs rely on government support to serve 21 million people annually. The company says it has been forced to halt operations in Haiti and the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

Action Against Hunger says that private support from individual donors, corporations, and foundations will be more important than ever to help the organization weather this storm.

Eric Bebernitz, the organization’s director of External Relations, tells Nutrition Insight how the freeze will impact nutrition and food security and examines the pressures the organization and others like it expect to face.

Bebernitz highlights the urgency for sustained humanitarian aid to prevent a catastrophic loss of life as millions of children face malnutrition and starvation threats. He underscores the importance of reliable and sustained funding for aid organizations to prevent long-term health consequences and increased mortality rates of those in need of support.

How will the USAID freeze impact nutrition and vulnerable children, and what are long-term risks?
Bebernitz: With US foreign assistance programs in limbo, vulnerable communities reliant on humanitarian aid face an uncertain future. Every day, Action Against Hunger screens thousands of children for malnutrition and delivers treatment that can bring a dying child back to health in as little as 45 days. However, these lifesaving programs require reliable funding.

Action Against Hunger is facing over US$100 million in lost funding in places like Haiti, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Madagascar, and Afghanistan, among many others.Last year, the US government provided direct support that helped us reach approximately 1.3 million people in Ethiopia alone. Globally, Action Against Hunger is facing over US$100 million in lost funding in places like Haiti, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Madagascar, and Afghanistan, among many others. 

How does halting these programs affect families?
Bebernitz: Many of our programs have been impacted by “stop work” orders. In some cases, we have received waivers to continue operating some select lifesaving programs, yet the funding hasn’t come through.

With US Government support, we operated a malnutrition prevention program in Haiti that delivered food, provided nutrition education, and screened at-risk children for malnutrition. That program has now been terminated.

With 30% of your funding at risk, how will you fill the gap?
Bebernitz: There has long been solid bipartisan agreement that the US should support hunger-related programs, and we are eager to engage [US President Donald] Trump’s administration around this urgent issue.

The world produces enough food for everyone, so hunger isn’t just an issue of food — it’s an issue of equity.Yet, diversified support has become more important than ever. As shifts in US federal policy create uncertainty, private funding can help sustain our lifesaving work. We are looking to current donors to increase support and hope new donors will step up, whether those are other governments, individuals, foundations, or the private sector. 

Has the aid freeze worsened systemic issues in food distribution? If so, how?
Bebernitz: The world produces enough food for everyone, so hunger isn’t just an issue of food — it’s an issue of equity. We believe everyone has the right to a life free from hunger. We are inspired by the people we serve and have seen them overcome unthinkable challenges with the right support.

There was a significant funding gap for hunger-related programs long before this year. Today, nearly one in three people worry about where their next meal is coming from. When you’re chronically hungry, you’re more vulnerable to poor health and it’s harder to learn, work, dream, and realize your full potential. Worse, every 15 seconds, a child loses the fight against hunger’s deadly effects.

Tragically, the freeze on US government support is making it harder to distribute supplies and almost certainly means that children will die.

What would you say about the urgency of continuing humanitarian aid?
Bebernitz: To policymakers, it’s critical to recognize that Americans across the political spectrum agree on the importance of ending global hunger — 71% of Americans want to see the president take a stand on global hunger — and that includes nearly 60% of Republicans. Supporting humanitarian efforts advances US values while contributing to global health and security.

To the public, if you are concerned, there are several ways to help. First, tell your elected officials that you support robust international aid, particularly for US-based nonprofits. Follow humanitarian organizations like Action Against Hunger on social media to help provide fact-based updates to people in your network. And, of course, consider making a direct donation to help close the hunger funding gap.

Funding freeze

The UK network for organizations Bond reveals around 14,000 USAID staff have been placed on leave, new programs have been frozen, and existing programs have been ordered to “stop work.” 

We recently examined how Trump’s freeze on foreign aid threatens the future of USAID, which threatens global humanitarian assistance in areas such as malnutrition, food security, emergency responses, and combating stunting. 

Meanwhile, Trump rescinded a funding freeze memo after a US court blocked an attempt and caused havoc for nutrition and food nonprofits. 

Nutrition Insight also examined the potential impacts of the Republican-led US House of Representatives’ proposed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cuts, speaking to the Center for Science in the Public Interest and looking at why US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins is pushing for reforms. Children’s health, food banks, and minority groups will face the most pressure.

Bond cautions that after the 90-day review, aid programs that prioritize family planning, gender equity, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are particularly at risk and may not be restored.