Reports Claim USAID Cuts Have Already Led to 15,000 Deaths, With More Expected

A shocking report from humanitarian advocacy groups claims that nearly 15,000 people have already died, including over 1,500 children, due to drastic cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under former President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives.

The cuts, which amount to over 90% of USAID’s global assistance budget, have led to widespread program shutdowns affecting health services, disease prevention efforts, and humanitarian aid. Experts warn that this funding crisis could result in hundreds of thousands more deaths if urgent action is not taken.

For official USAID information, visit USAID’s website.

How USAID Funding Was Cut

In early 2025, Trump and Musk-backed policies led to a sweeping reduction of USAID’s foreign aid programs, totaling $60 billion in cuts. This led to the cancellation of over 10,000 contracts and grants that funded life-saving health and development initiatives worldwide.

According to reports, these cuts primarily affected:

• HIV/AIDS Treatment Programs
• Malaria and Polio Eradication Initiatives
• Malnutrition and Food Security Efforts
• Disaster Response and Humanitarian Aid

Impact on Global Health Programs

HIV/AIDS Treatment Programs at Risk

One of the most devastating effects of these cuts has been on HIV/AIDS treatment programs.

• USAID’s PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), which provided treatment to 20 million people worldwide, is now severely underfunded.
• Over 500,000 children living with HIV are at risk of losing access to antiretroviral therapy.
• Many clinics offering HIV prevention programs and free testing have shut down.

Malaria and Polio Epidemics Expected

The termination of USAID-funded malaria programs could lead to up to 166,000 additional malaria deaths annually, particularly in Africa and South Asia.

Additionally, the halt of polio vaccination campaigns could leave 200,000 children at risk of paralysis over the next decade.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that “gains made in eradicating diseases could be reversed” if immediate funding is not restored.

Malnutrition and Food Insecurity

USAID previously funded nutrition programs for over one million children suffering from severe malnutrition. With funding slashed, humanitarian groups estimate that:

• Millions of children under five may face acute malnutrition and starvation.
• Food insecurity in crisis regions, such as Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen, has dramatically worsened.

For information on global malnutrition efforts, visit the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Advocacy Groups Protest USAID Budget Cuts

In response to the funding reductions, former USAID officials and global health activists have staged protests in Washington, D.C.

• A recent “die-in” demonstration at the U.S. Capitol included HIV/AIDS patients, former USAID workers, and global health advocates, who laid down on the ground to symbolize the rising death toll.
• Protesters demanded that Congress restore full USAID funding and reinstate terminated health programs.

For information on USAID advocacy efforts, visit the Global Health Council.

Trump and Musk’s Justification for USAID Cuts

Former President Trump and business magnate Musk have defended the USAID funding cuts, arguing that:

• “America should focus on domestic issues before foreign aid”
• Many USAID contracts were inefficient and wasteful
• The cuts were necessary to reduce government spending

Musk, who has supported the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—a policy initiative aiming to reduce federal waste—stated that “aid dependency needs to be reevaluated”.

However, critics argue that the elimination of essential health programs has caused irreversible damage, with lives lost due to preventable diseases and starvation.

What Happens Next?

With USAID budget cuts already causing widespread fatalities, advocacy groups warn that this is just the beginning. If funding is not restored:

• Hundreds of thousands more could die from preventable diseases.
• The HIV/AIDS epidemic could resurge in low-income nations.
• Global malnutrition rates will skyrocket, with millions of children affected.

Congress is now under immense pressure to reconsider USAID’s funding. Some lawmakers have proposed bipartisan emergency relief funding, while others support the continued cuts.

For legislative updates, visit the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.

Final Thoughts

The devastating effects of the USAID budget cuts are already being felt across the world. With healthcare services collapsing, disease outbreaks rising, and malnutrition worsening, advocacy groups warn that the death toll could continue climbing if urgent action is not taken.

While the debate on foreign aid vs. domestic priorities continues, millions remain at risk. The coming months will be crucial in determining the fate of global health programs.

For official updates, visit:

• USAID’s Website
• WHO’s Global Health Reports
• United Nations WFP (Food Security)

What are your thoughts on these USAID budget cuts? Share your opinions in the comments.

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