The international community of humanitarian aid providers, which counts numerous prominent Hollywood figures among its members, has been taken aback following the White House’s significant reduction of USAID at the onset of Donald Trump’s second term in January. This is because, since World War II, the United States has played a pivotal role in establishing and influencing contemporary global policies and benchmarks for humanitarian aid.
The drastic budget cuts have caused a shutdown at the government agency, effectively halting most of its essential fieldwork. This agency not only aimed to alleviate crises among the world’s most vulnerable populations but also aimed to prevent emerging threats such as infectious disease outbreaks from developing countries and serve as a counterbalance against geopolitical competitors like China and Russia. Now, the wide array of challenges in areas like health, education, economic development, and disaster relief that this agency once tackled has been passed on to a group of nonprofit organizations. Unfortunately, these organizations often struggle with their own budget constraints due to the same austerity measures implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency, which was spearheaded by Elon Musk.
According to Katherine Williford, the chief development officer of Plan International USA, these changes are catastrophic in magnitude and they’re happening at an alarming speed. Plan International USA works globally to uphold girls’ rights, with high-profile supporters like Freida Pinto and Laurie Metcalf. Unfortunately, a funding loss of $38 million has affected 1.5 million people across twelve countries.
Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of CARE USA, an organization dedicated to combating poverty with a focus on women’s and girls’ livelihoods, agrees that this is a pivotal turning point, a significant transformation. Notably, CARE has received support from various performers such as Kelly Clarkson and Alexandra Daddario. Like Plan International USA, 40% of its funding comes from the U.S. government. Unfortunately, projects in regions like Haiti and Sudan have halted. Similarly, in Yemen, crucial programs that sustain children’s lives are no longer providing support.
Michelle Nunn, head of CARE USA, a charity fighting poverty with a special emphasis on women and girls’ opportunities, concurs that this is a defining instant, a major change. Well-known figures such as Kelly Clarkson and Alexandra Daddario have supported CARE in the past. Similar to Plan International USA, 40% of its funding comes from the U.S. government. Regrettably, operations in countries like Haiti and Sudan have stopped. The same goes for Yemen, where essential programs that keep children alive are no longer offering support.
Nunn outlines a new drive among frontline organizations such as CARE, where they are striving to create diverse sources of funding to achieve their objectives, including impact investing and corporate collaborations. He notes that corporations are recognizing the potential for success when they invest in communities and their ability to thrive, as these communities can become valuable contributors within the supply chain.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC), an organization dedicated to disaster relief, has had around 40% of its projects halted due to funding cuts, as it relies on 30% of its funds from federal resources. With the remaining time in the Trump administration likely to bring more reductions, IRC’s Stephanie Van Sickel emphasizes that this is an opportunity for donors to have a significant impact. As the person who oversees West Coast philanthropic contributions for Warner Bros. and several major Hollywood agencies, she explains. The IRC’s ambassador program includes well-known figures like Harry Styles, Rashida Jones, and Rami Malek. Ciarán Donnelly, a senior director at the IRC, asserts that although some ideologues may criticize international aid, budgets in this sector are actually under intense scrutiny due to donors’ demands for value.
The cuts made by the Trump administration also have unintended consequences. For example, Doctors Without Borders, which is backed by prominent figures like Pedro Pascal, Angelina Jolie, and Mark Ruffalo, doesn’t receive government funding. As a result of these changes, their programs now face potential increases in costs for supplies, personnel, and logistical support. According to Deborah Garcia, the organization’s chief development officer, the overall landscape for humanitarian aid funding has drastically changed, bringing about economic uncertainty. In this critical time for the international aid sector, she underscores the value of unrestricted donations.
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2025-07-24 16:55