Sudan is currently grappling with one of the most severe hunger crises in modern history, a situation compounded by a drastic reduction in U.S. foreign aid.
Mary Stata, the chief development officer of Mercy Corps, a Portland-based international nonprofit, expressed deep concern, stating, “Every day there are children dying from hunger and malnutrition.” This distressing reality has led Mercy Corps to cut programming, a direct consequence of the U.S. government’s reduction in foreign assistance.
Mercy Corps has previously played a critical role in Sudan, reaching over 220,000 people with food and support. However, an abrupt halt in federal funding has forced the organization to terminate numerous programs, including many vital initiatives maintaining the livelihoods of vulnerable populations.
In an interview with OPB, Stata detailed the organization’s struggles following cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated during President Donald Trump’s administration. Historically, the U.S. government has been Mercy Corp’s primary financial supporter, but the sudden withdrawal of funding has led to the termination of more than 40 of their 60 federally funded programs.
“We really have just a fraction of the programming left that we had once been doing,” Stata lamented during OPB’s “Think Out Loud.” “The programming that is continuing is important work; it is lifesaving work. But at the same time, we are still not receiving payment from the U.S. government.”
This funding gap means that nearly all of Mercy Corps’ federally supported programs are at risk of being severely affected. Stata noted the issues within the payment system; even approved programs cannot proceed without access to the necessary funds.
“The payment system has not been functional,” she explained. “And so we are not able to continue all of this work—even the stuff that has been approved technically—because we aren’t actively getting paid by the U.S. government for it.”
The impact of these funding cuts is already being manifested across multiple fronts. For instance, Mercy Corps has been managing essential health support programs in Nigeria benefiting over 55,000 malnourished children under the age of five and 11,500 pregnant women. Stata reported that the program was abruptly cut, leaving vulnerable populations at heightened risk.
“This has put these children and pregnant women at immediate risk,” she said, emphasizing the dire consequences. “These are malnourished kids who are no longer receiving therapeutic foods.”
In light of these challenges, Mercy Corps is making organizational changes closer to home. The Portland office, located on Southwest Naito Parkway, is slated to go up for sale. This decision is primarily driven by a combination of factors including an increase in remote work and the need to cut costs as well as a commitment to lessen the organization’s carbon footprint.
To minimize expenses in light of the cessation of federal funds, Mercy Corps has decided to list the building at $17.6 million. The organization originally invested $37 million in purchasing and renovating the space, which included expanding it by 40,000 square feet.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, approximately 75% of Mercy Corps’ U.S.-based team operated out of Portland, but that figure has since plummeted to 36%. Presently, the office operates at an occupancy rate of only about 12% on most days.
Oregon is home to a vast number of nonprofits, with Mercy Corps standing out as one of the most prominent. Jim White, executive director of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, commented on the significance of having such organizations in the state.
“Having a cadre of people who are based here in Oregon who are regularly interchanging ideas and witnessing firsthand what is happening around the world—that’s a real asset for Oregon,” White stated.
With the diminished presence of international nonprofits like Mercy Corps, he noted the implications for Oregonians, highlighting the loss of local assets that foster understanding and engagement with global issues.
Remembering the inauguration of Mercy Corps’ building on Naito Parkway back in 2009, White reflected on the opportunities it provided for community engagement, particularly through the Mercy Corps’ Action Center, which facilitated public education about international aid work.
“It’s a shame to hear that asset is going away for Oregon,” he reiterated, underscoring the broader repercussions of the funding cuts and the resulting organizational transformations.
As the situation in Sudan deteriorates and Mercy Corps continues to face funding challenges, the implications of these decisions may extend far beyond its operations, echoing in the communities that depend on their vital support.
The struggle for resources and aid continues, and the urgency to address the hunger crisis worsens with every passing day.
image source from：https://www.opb.org/article/2025/04/25/mercy-corps-federal-funding-cuts/
