American diplomats have raised alarms about the dire consequences of the Trump administration’s abrupt withdrawal of foreign aid, detailing the unsettling transformations occurring in various regions worldwide.
Reports from at least two countries reveal that the cessation of humanitarian support is fostering violence and chaos, as anticipated by multiple experts.
In Malawi, a southeastern African nation, the reduction in U.S. funding to the World Food Programme (WFP) has resulted in significantly rising instances of criminal activity and human trafficking in Dzaleka refugee camp, as U.S. embassy officials communicated in an April briefing.
Currently, WFP is projected to see a staggering 40% reduction in funding compared to previous years, which has led to food rations being cut by one-third at Dzaleka, a camp originally designed to accommodate 10,000 people but now housing over 55,000 individuals.
To the north, a cable from the U.S. embassy in Kenya reported that the public’s awareness of funding cuts has incited violent protests.
In one incident, police fired upon demonstrators, injuring four individuals, while refugees have tragically lost their lives in stampedes at food distribution centers, amid a warning from aid workers that further dangers loom as families grow increasingly desperate.
Eric Schwartz, a former assistant secretary of state and National Security Council member, expressed his deep concern, stating, “It is devastating, but it’s not surprising.
It’s all what people in the national security community have predicted.”
In a response to inquiries about the reports, a State Department spokesperson downplayed the claims, asserting that it is misleading to attribute global unrest to America’s actions.
The spokesperson emphasized that the WFP programs inherited from previous administrations remain mostly operational.
However, it is important to note that U.S. funding for the WFP is determined on a yearly basis, and for the current cycle, the administration has yet to approve any funds for Malawi and Kenya, forcing the WFP to scale back significantly on its food assistance programs.
In Kenya, the WFP is preparing to reduce its rations to 28% of the necessary requirements coming in June, an unprecedented level that equates to less than 600 calories a day for individuals when the standard minimum is 2,100 calories.
Lauren Landis, the WFP’s Kenya country director, described the precarious situations, stating that they are relying on leftover supplies from late 2024 or early 2025.
This scarcity has been particularly visible during visits to medical facilities treating malnourished children, where staff reported seeing children in alarming conditions.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has promised a restoration of global safety and security, yet his administration’s actions, particularly those undertaken in collaboration with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, have drastically curtailed the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Reports indicate that more than 80% of USAID’s operations were terminated, compromising essential humanitarian assistance globally.
Musk has justified the cuts by claiming they target wasteful payments, denying that they contribute to mortality rates.
Experts assert that American humanitarian diplomacy, or “soft power,” has traditionally served as a vital, cost-effective approach to stabilize regions of strategic importance and meet the basic needs of populations susceptible to extremist influences.
Retired General Jim Mattis, who served as defense secretary during Trump’s first term, emphasized this connection in a 2013 congressional testimony, stating, “If you don’t fund the State Department fully, then I need to buy more ammunition.”
Historically, food insecurity has been linked to regional unrest.
Despite assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the continuity of critical operations amid widespread funding cuts, numerous programs supported by the Trump administration have been cut, with nearly half of the WFP’s budget funded by the U.S. in 2024 alone.
Since February, U.S. officials in developing countries have issued urgent alerts about the significant repercussions stemming from the administration’s foreign aid cuts, warning that these policies could intensify humanitarian crises and jeopardize U.S. national security.
For instance, diplomats in the Middle East expressed concern that halting aid could bolster the Taliban’s power and hinder anti-terrorism efforts.
They suggested that these cuts might undermine the ability to manage narcotics trafficking and illegal immigration, potentially destabilizing the region and posing risks to U.S. troops stationed there.
Similar messages emerged from embassies across Africa.
In February, the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu cautioned that the abrupt discontinuation of stabilization and humanitarian initiatives focusing on counter-terrorism in Somalia could directly compromise U.S. national security interests.
The embassy emphasized the integral role of USAID in assisting military operations to retain control over newly liberated areas, demonstrating the risks associated with the funding cuts.
In Nigeria, officials demonstrated concern that the suspension of operations led to lapses in oversight, which in turn risked the diversion of U.S. resources to criminal organizations or terrorist groups.
The embassy further noted pressing challenges in Kenya, with over 730,000 refugees at risk of a humanitarian crisis without additional support, as the local government strives to manage both security concerns and support for refugee camps amid the threat posed by al-Shabaab.
Jeremy Lewin, an attorney appointed to lead the State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance without prior government expertise, reportedly called for the cessation of WFP grants in more than a dozen nations earlier in April, later reinstating some funding amid significant public outcry.
The State Department has stated that it is acting on Lewin’s behalf.
In Kenya, the warning of a malnutrition crisis looms large as rations approach a quarter of the standard minimum.
Concerns also extend to the safety of WFP staff, who already navigate precarious conditions, given the likelihood of mounting protests and potential risks posed by al-Shabaab in vulnerable refugee camps.
For U.S. food aid to reach Kenya by year-end, shipments must be dispatched immediately, a timeline that is currently unmet.
In the past few days, refugees from South Sudan in Ethiopia have implored visiting U.S. government officials to refrain from further slashing food rations, as documented in official reports.
In North Africa, aid organizations predict they will run out of funding by late May for programs aimed at addressing malnutrition affecting over 8,600 pregnant and nursing women.
Malawi, one of the world’s poorest nations, has paradoxically maintained a sense of stability despite widespread turmoil in surrounding areas.
However, officials warned in early March that cuts exceeding $300 million in annual USAID assistance are likely to exacerbate the negative impacts of an already struggling economy.
Recently, a group of employees from a USAID-funded nonprofit appeared unexpectedly at USAID offices in Malawi’s capital, seeking payment for their wages that had been frozen due to U.S. funding cuts.
While the outcome of their request remains uncertain, officials have signaled that similar challenges may echo globally as countries respond with increased monitoring for potential threats against embassy personnel.
Dzaleka refugee camp has evolved from its initial purpose of temporarily housing individuals fleeing a single conflict into a permanent residence for many affected by multiple crises in the region.
Iradukunda Devota, a Burundian refugee who has spent more than two decades living in the camp, highlighted the recent surges in crime and addiction among residents, reportedly stemming from severe food shortages.
“This is happening because people are hungry.
They have nowhere to turn to,” she emphasized, as the funding crisis further tightens its grip on the camp.
In light of these challenges, the Malawian government is considering closing its borders to refugees, as outlined by WFP representatives in communications with the State Department.
Moreover, warnings persist regarding a potential total halt of food aid to Dzaleka by July, setting the stage for inevitable violent protests that could involve both refugees and the host communities.
In their reports, diplomats continue to alert the Trump administration about the worsening situation, indicating that failure to address these issues could lead to escalating violence and instability across the affected regions.
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