When the Trump administration abruptly terminated ten thousand foreign assistance contracts and grants last week, it ended funding for programs around the world – including those that had been granted waivers by the State Department to continue their lifesaving work.

Health groups and non-governmental organizations expressed surprise and outrage Thursday and said many humanitarian programs would collapse after the Trump administration's decision to cut 90% of USAID's foreign aid contracts.

A senior USAID official warned that the Trump administration's dismantling of the agency could lead to unnecessary deaths globally. Despite assurances, political moves have made humanitarian efforts impossible,