This page hosts a round-up of information on funding cuts, program changes, layoffs, and more. It depends on the support of readers like you to share the information you know, and links you find via ourstopgap@gmail.com! This page was last updated on 24 June 2025.
Funding cuts from donors
This Global Aid Freeze Tracker provides information on programs and cuts related to the US government.
This page from Ground Truth Solutions tracks funding cuts by other governments beyond the US. (Their main page is here.)
These Devex articles explores the involvement of other US agencies on development as well as the international funding map.
The US cuts represent nearly $60 billion, including over 90% of the USAID budget, following the completion of the freeze on March 3rd. 83% of USAID programs were terminated with only 1,000 remaining. Some security funds were exempted from aid freeze. On March 7th and 11th, the US Supreme Court rejected the administration’s attempt to withhold billions of dollars in foreign aid. A federal judge finds DOGE's shutdown of USAID 'likely' unconstitutional. Staff working on foreign aid projects received a survey to determine if they meet new national security priorities. UN agencies and NGOs also received a survey asking them whether they collaborate with "non-americain beliefs". Such survey aimed to re-review and assess programs, possibly leading to new layoffs (see here) Trump’s $9.4B rescession package targets ‘woke’ and ‘wasteful’ aid.
The UK diverted its aid budget (from 0.5 to 0.3% of GNI) to increase defense spending. The UK International Development Minister resigned over the decision, while a former UK development minister said it could endanger UK's national security. Devex published articles (see here) to see its impact. The UK also changed how it calculates the aid budget by being no longer ajdusted to its GNI.
The Netherlands cut €2.4 billion in development aid from 2027 and slashed funding for CSO by 1 billion from 2026 onwards.
Switzerland reduced its aid budget by CHF110 million for UN and Swiss NGOs, with an additional CHF321 million projected for 2026 - 2028. Such move could weaken international Geneva.
France's 2025 budget saw a 50% reduction in ODA compared to 2024. France also created a commission in March to evaluate ODA's transparency and accountability. A Presidential Council was held in April on international partnership to "refocus" aid. See also the interview of Rémy Rioux, Head of AFD, and a tribune of two MPs in support of France's role in ODA
Belgium announced a 25% reduction in ODA over 5 years starting in 2024. The 2025 aid budget is 5% lower compared to 2024.
Germany is expected to reallocate funds and cut aid spending by half by 2025. Germany's coalition government still haggling over aid spending. Yet, several analysis from Devex and the ECFR questions Germany's aid leadership.
Finland plans to reduce its ODA budget by 25% over 2024 - 2027.
While Sweden 2025 ODA budget remain steady, the government announced a €300 million reduction annually between 2026-2028.
If elected, Canada's Conservative Leader said he will slash foreign aid to build Arctic base.
Saudi Arabia's budget remains dominated by military spending, a 5% increase compared to 2024.
UAE 2025 federal budget does not mention its aid budget.
Impact of funding cuts
According to OCHA's head, 10% of NGO staff were laid off in February 2025.
The U.S Foreign Aid updates website documents the consequences of the US foreign aid freeze.
The Center for Global Development developed which countries are the most exposed to US aid cuts
This Devex article lists the most USAID's offices impacted by the cuts.
Forbes compiled a list of US governmental layoffs due to the cuts.
Even those not dependant on USAID were impacted according to Devex
AP listed 20 projects closed by the USAID freeze, including UN programs. See also this Devex article.
Devex surveyed the freeze impacts on USAID.
UN may cut staff by 20%, internal memo says. Here's a look inside the UN’s maelstrom.
OCHA slashes global aid plans as it faces 'brutal funding cuts,' seeking $29 billion in funding for 2025 compared to the $44 billion originally requested
Funding cuts at UNICEF fuel intense staff pushback
UNFPA and the human fallout of US aid cuts: A $335 million gap
This Geneva Solutions article delves into the impact of US's aid cuts on International Geneva
Trump's administration wants to redesign international aid by narrowing USAID's mandate which would be rebranded the U.S agency for International Humanitarian assistance at the State Department. Approach to aid should be "safer, stronger and more prosperous"
Devex published a list of US-related layoffs and cuts and published a US aid tracker. They published a series on most impacted non-profit organizations, multilaterals, contractors:
The latest round of USAID cuts is estimated to be around $1.3 billion.
USAID foreign service officers were ordered to return to the US by August 15th. Staffs were informed they would be fired by either July 1 or Sept. 2, 2025 and then, potentially, rehired at the State Department. Yet, most Americains support foreign aid according to a survey.
ACAPS gives insights on the humanitarian impact of the US funding freeze.
IOM and UNHCR were forced to layoff thousands of staff (around 5,000 for UNHCR and 3,000 for IOM). This article unrolls the process for IOM.
UN refugee agency confirms 3,500 job cuts globally.
UN trade agency says it faces 'painful' cuts as countries navigate tariffs.
UNAIDS to slash workforce by more than half as funding by US and other big donors disappears
This article assesses the state of food and agricultural programs.
WFP will suspend food support for two million people in the Sahel and Nigeria and one million in Myanmar. Devex published a story on the impacts of shrinking budgets. Funding shortfall is estimated to be around $8.1 billion for 2025 (40% decrease compared to 2024)
FAO lost $307 million in U.S funding, forcing the organization to suspend programs in Afghanistan, South Sudan and Somalia, among others.
Mercy Corps terminated 41 programs, affecting 5 million people. Find more details on the programs.
Save the Children reported that the aid freeze will impact 8-12 million people globally and was forced to close 5 offices (2300 staffs).
NRC suspended US-funded work in 20 countries.
WHO Budget Crisis Bigger Than Previously Thought – $2.5 Billion Gap for 2025-2027
IRC cut thousands of staff after US aid freeze
World Vision cut 3 000 staffs worldwide.
Terres des Hommes cut or freeze 440 jobs in 9 countries.
Fewsnets, a US-run food security monitoring and early warning system, has been shut down.
Staff at the US African Development Foundation placed on leave
Aid cuts also impacted humanitarian logistics.
Mirgation and Displacement programs were impacted up to $2.3 billion by US foreign aid cuts according to MPI. Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative published a report based on a survey examining the effects of USAID cuts on refugees and displaced people. Examples from Indonesia, Thailand, Kenya , Syria or Bangladesh (also here) give further insights into refugee camps. See also this New York Time article
USAID Stop-Work tracks USAID-related national job loss.
Outright international detailed the impact of the aid freeze on LGBTIQ communities (see also here). See another example in Botswana
Several articles from Devex, Politico and Crisis Group warn of the risks of famine linked to US aid freeze. It could be an opportunity to reform aid according to Devex.
Health programs, organisations (e.g., JSI, UNAIDS, WHO -see also here) and countries were impacted (see Devex story), possibly resulting in millions more deaths from HIV or AIDS in Africa (here too). See for instance in South Africa, Syria, Uganda, Kenya (include from a governmental memo), Afghanistan, South Sudan. A personal testimony from USAID senior official Atul Gawande. An online tool was created to quantitatevly capture the impacts of US aid freeze.
A Mongabay article explains the impacts on the conservation sector (e.g., in Ghana) and on reforestation and restoration efforts. Such impacts also concerns environmental protection in Ukraine.
Scholars have also been impacted by the aid freeze (e.g., Johns Hopkins University, US Institute for Peace), including in Malawi.
The following articles explain the impact of USAID aid freeze on local communities: Sudan (here, here and here), Ethiopia (here), Gaza, Nepal, Kosovo, Ghana, DRC, Mexico, Pacific Islands, Iraq, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Ukraine, Yobe state (Nigeria), Middle-East, Yemen. See a collection of examples in this New York Times article.
"Sans l'USAID, l'assistance humanitaire en Afrique est-elle menacée?" se demande l'International Crisis Group dans un podcast.
Half of women’s rights NGOs brace for closure over aid cuts: UN survey
Data blackout: How aid cuts are leaving humanitarian response in the dark
Impact of the aid cut on International Geneva (see also here, and here) and a story from Geneva Solutions on who may be hit the hardest
And yet, some hope...
Norway announced new funding for national organisation and allocated an additional EUR 24,5 million (NOK 300 million).
Ireland increased Irish Aid's 2025 budget (+€ 35 million equivalent to 4,5% increase).
South Korea increased its 2025 ODA budget by 3.8% and reached its 2030 goal.
The EU's initial 2025 humanitarian budget increased by 5% compared to 2024, reaching €1.9 billion. How can EU step us asks Devex since European countries are cutting development spending. See also this tribune in French.
Japan amont of ODA projects will see an increase of around €2.7 billion.
Sweden is reportedly considering providing ‘special support to strengthen the humanitarian system and reallocate resources’ to priority areas.
Denmark will maintain the 0.7% ODA/GINI objective for 2025-2028 though the ODA absolute figure will slightly decrease (by 4%).
Australia's 2024-2025 (until June 2025) ODA budget slighty increased and its 2025-2026 ODA budget saw an increase of $135.8 million from 2024 -2025. Australia is also considering providing additional support in its next federal budget.
NEAR, a network of Global South CSOs, will provide short-term funding for its members hit by the US freeze.
A multi-partner coalition, led by Unlock Aid, is developing an emergency fund called "The Foreign Aid Bridge Fund" to sustain ongoing work.
Devex and AP articles propose several emergency fund for affected organizations.
In this article, Devex explores the way organization can diversify their funding.
Can and how can philanthropy step in to face the aid crisis Devex asks?
The Finance in Common Summit was the occasion to discuss a new development finance system for Devex
Several organizations and agencies are still recruiting.
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of IDPs is calling for inputs on the impact of the US funding reduction on the human rights of IDPs and organizations supporting them
The ICRC said they are not under immediate threat from US freeze aid
Nations agree to raise their WHO fees in wake of US retreat
Swiss relief packages announced for international Geneva
General information and reflective pieces on the aid system
Devex has a list of articles on the future of US aid.
This New York Review article looks back, at the history of USAID and its programs, and forwards, to the uncertain future of humanitarianism and development.
The New Humanitarian delve into the sector's financial dependency or the 2025 aid policy trends. Some also question the story humanitarian should tell, notably avoiding framing aid as soft power or its new capitalist mindset. To do so, "reforming humanitarianism can't be left to today's decision-maker" and avoid perpetuate the curent aid system. Yet, news reporting should also change.
A research piece shows the trend (2020-2025) in ODA budget.
An Oxfam blog discusses issues on aid and implications.
Resources from The Atlantic and ODI explore the consequences and policy implications of US aid freeze. See also these articles (here) published on The Conversation and this brief in French from IRIS
A Chatam House brief examines the geopolitical implications of western foreign aid freeze. A brief from Vision of Humanity discusses the geopolitics around ODA.
An article from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discusses the future of US democracy aid.
A brief (in French) from UR Group questions the current aid architecture.
This brief advocates for an EU response in the Horn of Africa.
This ISS brief questions the capacity of African philantropy to replace US aid. Several articles (ISS, Le Monde, Al-Jazeera's, Foreign policy) consider the US freeze as a "wake-up call for Africa"
Devex asks "Is the US aid freeze a gift to Chinese soft power?" and an opportunity for the global south . See also this article.
Cet article du Monde analyse l'impact de la crise de l'aide sur l'industrie occidentale.
"Can development organizations survive donor cuts?" asks Devex. One the solutions concern innovative partnerships.
Devex asks the following questions: how do we rethink global development? What does the replacement of USAID look like?
Among the solutions, cash transfer appears to be effective solutions.
Foreign aid crisis represents a risk for international cooperation but also for its own essence. In western countries, aid is instrumentalized by extreme right parties according to Le Monde (in French).
Foreign aid should be considered as an investment and not a cost according to Santé Mondiale 2030.
Qui viendra à l’aide d’un système humanitaire abandonné par l’Occident?
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