Countries around the world already are feeling the impact of the Trump administration’s “America First” policy resulting in the decision to eliminate more than 90% of foreign aid contracts and cut some $60 billion in funding across 130 countries worldwide via USAID (US Agency for International Development), the U.S. government's lead humanitarian aid division.
A Changed Legacy
Founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 via executive order, USAID was created to implement the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, building on the Marshall Plan which assisted postwar Europe's recovery. Through the decades, USAID has expanded its scope to promote "human needs" like nutrition and education as well as democracy and free markets. USAID has led the USA’s position as the world’s largest donor to NGOs. But now, around 10,000 USAID contracts have been terminated, impacting global communities in need - with Southeast Asia being no exception.
Critics say it is illegal for the administration to freeze aid and cut USAID without notifying and consulting Congress, which some say is the authority in deciding how to spend government money and which programs to fund. While arguments continue within the US government, the remaining aid workers not placed on leave have a list of urgent questions going unanswered: Which programs could continue? What qualifies as life-saving aid? Food? Shelter? Medicine? And how do they keep people from dying when almost every aid service has been shut at once?
"The situation is dire. From the survey respondents, over US$275 million in funding reported lost, impacting 3 million people in the region (Asia). Organisations are confident to replace only US$2 million within a year; more than 50% of organisations have six months or less of financial reserves, putting programmes and jobs at risk." - February 2025 survey by Asia Philanthropy Circle.
Health Sector Hit the Hardest
According to a survey by Global Aid Freeze Tracker, data shows the elimination or hold of financial support will impact health more than any other support initiative category worldwide. Out of 807 global for-profit and non-profit organisations surveyed, 230 say healthcare is the key area that will be impacted.
Based on the World Bank Country and Lending Groups Classification for the 2025 fiscal year, LMICs (Low- and middle-income countries) in Southeast Asia include: Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, many of which will be disproportionately impacted by funding cuts alongside many countries in Afrida.
Specific examples of Southeast Asian countries and programmes impacted:
Thailand. Hospitals helping some 100,000 refugees from Myanmar have shuttered, according to aid group Border Consortium. Also in Thailand, the aid freeze forced the International Rescue Committee, which funds health clinics with U.S. support, to quickly shut down the hospital and clinics it ran in seven refugee camps on the Myanmar-Thai border. More than 70 percent of refugees from Myanmar are women and children.
Philippines, Program to improve access to disaster warning systems for disabled people was stopped, according to Humanity & Inclusion. Women, particularly those with disabilities, are already at higher risk during disasters due to factors such as mobility issues, lack of access to information and gendered social roles.
Vietnam. Program assisting disabled people through training caregivers and providing at home medical care stopped, according to Humanity & Inclusion. The impact is primarily on the recipients of care, though a secondary impact is job loss for caregivers, the majority of whom in Vietnam are women.
Myanmar. One eliminated USAID program provided support for efforts to eradicate malaria, in addition to medical care and education in refugee camps, leading to reported fatalities and the closure of programs addressing human trafficking and civil rights. Women are more often impacted by displacement. The increasing number of conflicts and climate events in Myanmar since 2021 reveal rising proportions of women in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) population data estimates show the proportion of women in IDP camps rising from 27 per cent of 430,000 IDPs in December 2021 to 51 per cent of 1.35 million in December 2023, and growing. This increase raises food shortage risks and threats to income sources and livelihoods of vulnerable communities, especially considering the gender wage gap.
Removing life-saving programmes in human rights, education, food, medical care and more disproportionately impacts women and children, creating further instability in countries. Desperate societies can cause a rise in gender-based violence (GBV), child labour and early marriage given the need to contribute to the family income or alleviate the burden of another mouth to feed, not to mention a lack of education if girls are not in school. At the same time societies without sufficient support experience lessening safety and increased national security risks.
Bridging the Funding Gap
Clearly funding is the greatest need today as reserves are running low. Global NGO network, ICVA, has researched the amount of programme funding loss with 78% of respondents report the Stop Work Order (SWO) impacts their contracts worth over 100,000 USD.
56% of NGOs report they are already looking for alternative funding, but there is concern for the ability to source sufficient funding given increased competition of charities going for a smaller pool of money and simply finding new routes of sponsorship.
How to Help
Support Local Philanthropic Organisations.
Volunteer, donate and become an advocate for local charities and non-profit groups. Use your voice to encourage governments to adopt policies that encourage local philanthropy.
Donate Funds.
To help fill the void in funding, donate to the Foreign Aid Bridge Fund which provides critical, short-term grant-based financing to ensure immediate impact and program continuity.
Shop with Impact.
Purchase women’s health products and services from femtech startups in Asia that give back to the community and support women founders. A few recommendations:
Ira Concept is dedicated to reducing period poverty, advancing gender equality, and raising awareness about menstrual hygiene. Through their "Ira For All" initiative, in collaboration with corporate partners and local authorities, they have donated over 1.6 million pads worldwide and educated more than 1,000 Thai students on menstrual health.
TruCup has a systemic change program, TRUSocial, which reshapes mindsets around sustainable menstrual health in both urban and rural spaces. Collaborating with the UNDP, WHO, state governments, and NGOs, TRUSocial empowers girls from lower economic backgrounds with essential knowledge on sexual, reproductive, and menstrual health. To date, it has impacted 250,000 menstruators and supports 30,000 underserved individuals every six months. By 2025, TruCup aims to educate and provide menstrual cups to 10 million women across Asia.
PLans supports the Indonesian Tempe Movement (ITM), an non-profit organisation, as volunteers to either organise and conduct education sessions on health and nutrition; and finds funding - or funds - additional initiatives as sponsors. The goal is to educate on tempe-making, teaching mothers how to make nutritious weaning food and raise healthy children, especially in stunting areas. Tempe is readily available, more affordable compared to meat sources, and is easily provided to mothers in rural areas and densely populated areas. In addition, the women can make tempe in small batches, selling their products to neighbours to earn additional income.
Nona Woman works with Biyung, a social organisation focused on women's health and environmental sustainability. A portion of profits made from selling their batik cloth pads are used Nona Woman's organic cotton pads are used to supply Biyung with the necessary means to run women's empowerment advocacy and programs, including training in sewing cloth pads and providing them to vulnerable women in rural area of Indonesia. Nona Woman provides reusable batik pads to girls in rural areas of Indonesia.
The drastic cuts to USAID funding are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, they are life-altering decisions that jeopardise healthcare, education, and basic human rights for millions worldwide with women and children bearing the brunt of the impact. Whether through advocacy, alternative funding, shopping with impact, or direct contributions from the public, the global community must continue to support those in need.
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