Why USAID's 'lifesaving' waivers are a train wreck : Elissa Miolene and Adva Saldinger / DEVEX

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On Jan. 24, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued an exemption to the foreign aid freeze: a waiver for lifesaving humanitarian programs. But over the last three weeks, nothing about the waivers has gone according to plan.

Summary
The U.S. government's freeze on foreign aid has already had dire consequences. The freeze, part of a broader funding suspension under the Trump administration, has severely impacted humanitarian organizations working to address crises worldwide, including in Yemen, Uganda, Haiti, and Syria. Millions of people, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and refugees, are being denied life-saving assistance. Humanitarian staff are in limbo, struggling to navigate a complex waiver system designed to allow some programs to continue but often failing to provide the necessary funds or clarity.

Yemen Crisis: Millions of children are on the brink of starvation due to the ongoing conflict and collapsed healthcare system. However, the U.S. government's freeze has halted critical support programs.Key quote: “They meet with the moms. They measure the kids’ arm circumference. They try to track down kids that are malnourished and are falling through the cracks, and they’re in limbo.”

Program Delays and Confusion: Humanitarian organizations are facing delays in receiving waivers that would allow them to continue their work, and many are struggling with the lack of funds to carry out lifesaving programs, even when waivers are granted.Key quote: "With USAID not paying its bills, we simply can’t carry the costs anymore."

Court Intervention: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order requiring the U.S. government to reverse the stop-work order for existing aid projects. However, financial and bureaucratic obstacles persist, preventing aid from reaching those in need.Key quote: "The blanket suspension of congressionally appropriated funds was causing financial and business harm and that it would likely continue even with a waiver policy in place."

Impact on U.S. Aid Staff: The shutdown has left thousands of USAID staff unable to access their accounts or communicate with organizations, creating a major bottleneck in processing waivers and distributing funds.Key quote: “I see the email, and I can’t reply. I can’t acknowledge. I can’t do anything.”

Program Shutdowns Worldwide: Aid projects in various regions, including HIV/AIDS clinics in Africa and mental health services for refugees in Uganda, have had to shut down or drastically reduce services due to funding freezes and lack of clarity on waivers.Key quote: "We’ve had to stop our mental health programming... literally overnight."

Unpaid Debts: Many organizations are owed millions of dollars for work done before the freeze, further hindering their ability to continue operations. Some organizations are being forced to lay off staff due to these financial pressures.Key quote: "That’s why, at least in the INGO sector, we're seeing mass layoffs, country programs stopped, and some organizations looking at shutting their doors."

In summary, the article underscores the severe disruption caused by the freeze on U.S. foreign aid, leaving millions at risk and organizations struggling to maintain essential services due to bureaucratic delays, lack of funding, and the uncertainty surrounding waivers.