“No words can capture the cruelty” of President Trump’s latest attack on humanitarian aid -- Oxfam

“No words can capture the cruelty of the Trump administration’s attacks on humanitarian and development aid, or the devastating consequences it is already having on people’s lives and U.S. leadership abroad.

“This latest clawback of $5 billion in previously approved federal funding, without Congressional oversight and in addition to the previously rescinded $8 billion, means the United States has effectively given up on the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world – people who previously trusted this country to provide emergency food, water, medical care, and other vital services. To put it bluntly: people will die because of this decision to walk away from humanitarian and development aid. Children will starve, disease will spread, and communities in crisis will be left unable to recover from catastrophe. All while a majority of Americans believe the U.S. should provide medicine, medical supplies, and food to marginalized communities as well as support their economic development.

“I am heartbroken in this moment for colleagues and communities around the world whose lives and livelihoods are at risk because of these illegal aid cuts. But Oxfam is committed to continuing our work fighting inequality and providing support to communities in crisis.”

Notes to editors:

• Read Abby Maxman’s op-ed about her recent trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and the impacts of USAID cuts she saw in More to Her Story here.
• View Oxfam’s collection of global testimonies on the impacts of aid cuts here.
• Oxfam America conducted two waves of national opinion polling — in February and May 2025 — to ask Americans about their views on foreign aid. View the findings here.
• In May 2025, a Pew Research Center survey found substantial public support for several forms of U.S. foreign aid. View findings here.