Fatma Tanis

It's everything from the building of roads to vaccination programs. And there are also aid efforts in sensitive conflict zones. These are often logistically complicated programs. So once you pause them, it's hard to get things running back up again immediately. And, you know, Scott, we're talking about a lot of investment, around $60 billion worth of That's how much the U.S.

provides in foreign assistance annually. And it's the biggest financial supporter of development aid in the world. So this is going to have a huge impact across the board. And there's a lot that's still unclear. There are questions about how this is going to affect aid to Ukraine and Taiwan, for example. Also critical global health programs like PEPFAR. That's the U.S.

provides in foreign assistance annually. And it's the biggest financial supporter of development aid in the world. So this is going to have a huge impact across the board. And there's a lot that's still unclear. There are questions about how this is going to affect aid to Ukraine and Taiwan, for example. Also critical global health programs like PEPFAR. That's the U.S.

provides in foreign assistance annually. And it's the biggest financial supporter of development aid in the world. So this is going to have a huge impact across the board. And there's a lot that's still unclear. There are questions about how this is going to affect aid to Ukraine and Taiwan, for example. Also critical global health programs like PEPFAR. That's the U.S.

effort to combat HIV around the world. And it's credited with having saved 25 million lives.

effort to combat HIV around the world. And it's credited with having saved 25 million lives.

effort to combat HIV around the world. And it's credited with having saved 25 million lives.

So until this review is over, these U.S.-funded programs are likely going to have to cease operations, even furlough or lay off their staff. Employees of USAID, the agency primarily responsible for administering humanitarian and development aid, will be keeping their jobs for now. But I should also note that many of the organizations that partner with the U.S.

So until this review is over, these U.S.-funded programs are likely going to have to cease operations, even furlough or lay off their staff. Employees of USAID, the agency primarily responsible for administering humanitarian and development aid, will be keeping their jobs for now. But I should also note that many of the organizations that partner with the U.S.

So until this review is over, these U.S.-funded programs are likely going to have to cease operations, even furlough or lay off their staff. Employees of USAID, the agency primarily responsible for administering humanitarian and development aid, will be keeping their jobs for now. But I should also note that many of the organizations that partner with the U.S.

on foreign assistance are based in the U.S. and they employ people here and overseas. So this is going to impact overseas staff in the short term, but it will also lead to layoffs in the U.S. if it continues.

on foreign assistance are based in the U.S. and they employ people here and overseas. So this is going to impact overseas staff in the short term, but it will also lead to layoffs in the U.S. if it continues.

on foreign assistance are based in the U.S. and they employ people here and overseas. So this is going to impact overseas staff in the short term, but it will also lead to layoffs in the U.S. if it continues.

People are shocked and really worried. A senior official at USAID told me that, quote, the work stop order is completely reckless and disruptive and said it was draconian. The official asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on behalf of the agency. I also spoke to the leader of an organization that partners with USAID. They offer humanitarian assistance.

People are shocked and really worried. A senior official at USAID told me that, quote, the work stop order is completely reckless and disruptive and said it was draconian. The official asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on behalf of the agency. I also spoke to the leader of an organization that partners with USAID. They offer humanitarian assistance.

People are shocked and really worried. A senior official at USAID told me that, quote, the work stop order is completely reckless and disruptive and said it was draconian. The official asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on behalf of the agency. I also spoke to the leader of an organization that partners with USAID. They offer humanitarian assistance.

And that person told me the administration has, quote, thrown a grenade right into the middle of foreign assistance. This person also spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing retribution against their organization for speaking out. They said that they would have to pull out their staff who are providing critical services in the field and also lay off U.S. staff.

And that person told me the administration has, quote, thrown a grenade right into the middle of foreign assistance. This person also spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing retribution against their organization for speaking out. They said that they would have to pull out their staff who are providing critical services in the field and also lay off U.S. staff.

And that person told me the administration has, quote, thrown a grenade right into the middle of foreign assistance. This person also spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing retribution against their organization for speaking out. They said that they would have to pull out their staff who are providing critical services in the field and also lay off U.S. staff.

The person said that, quote, we can't afford to keep funding our programs because we don't know if we will be reimbursed per our contracts with U.S. agencies. Now, aid experts are also warning that this move could have a destabilizing effect in countries where humanitarian aid is critical. I spoke to Abby Maxman. She's the president of Oxfam America.