Canadian aid workers warn ‘catastrophic’ USAID halt puts Ottawa’s projects in limbo
Canada’s aid sector is facing a major crisis as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) scales back its operations, leaving numerous Canadian projects in limbo. Cooperation Canada, a coalition of Canadian non-profits working in international development and humanitarian assistance, is calling on Ottawa to step in and help fill the gaps left by the withdrawal of USAID funding.
The impact of USAID’s decision to freeze funding to multilateral programs is catastrophic, with millions of people around the world being abruptly cut off from life-saving supplies. Canadian organizations that rely on USAID funding for programs such as emergency medicine, basic education, and hunger relief are now facing the daunting task of redesigning their projects and finding alternative sources of funding.
According to Cooperation Canada, many Canadian programs that use systems operated by USAID or United Nations agencies with significant U.S. funding will need to shut down. This includes projects like climate-change adaptation in Peruvian watersheds and a fund that helps 2SLGBTQ+ activists fleeing violence.
Global Affairs Canada has reached out to the aid sector to help manage the disruption caused by the changes to U.S. foreign aid. However, critical partners involved in implementing these projects are already shutting their doors, further exacerbating the situation.
International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen expressed deep concern over the suspension of USAID activities, highlighting the risk of losing decades of progress in fighting inequality, starvation, pandemics, and authoritarianism. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly plans to discuss the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the upcoming G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Germany.
As Canada grapples with the fallout from USAID’s withdrawal, there is a growing sense of urgency for the country to demonstrate leadership in the face of this global crisis. Cooperation Canada’s Kate Higgins emphasized the need for Canada to show compassion and understanding towards the interconnectedness of global issues and their impact on our own safety, security, and prosperity.
In a world where vacuums left by retreating powers are quickly filled by adversaries, Canada must step up and fill the void to ensure that vulnerable communities around the world continue to receive the support they desperately need.
