DOGE's Foreign Aid Cuts Have Sparked 'Total Chaos' Around the World

The sudden and drastic cuts to foreign aid from the US have sent shockwaves through the global human rights community, with representatives from dozens of nonprofit organizations attending a major conference in Taipei, Taiwan, struggling to come to terms with the devastating news.

Last week, the Donald Trump administration announced that it would be ending nearly 10,000 contracts and grants from the US State Department, including the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID), representing about 90 percent of USAID's contracts overall. The announcement was the latest in a string of efforts by the Trump administration and Elon Musk's so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to shrink federal spending.

The Impact on Nonprofit Organizations

For many nonprofit organizations, the cuts mean significant financial losses, with some estimates suggesting that the reductions could amount to millions of dollars in funding. For example, Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), which supports journalists in places like Yemen and Libya, saw its grants reduced by 20 percent, or half a million dollars.

Rawan Damen, director of ARIJ, said that the cuts would have a devastating impact on her organization's ability to continue its work. "We don't want to lay off people," she said. "We have a small team of 30 people that we've groomed over 20 years. Replacing their expertise would be costly and very difficult."

Concerns Over Data Security

Nonprofit workers also expressed concerns over the potential for data breaches, given DOGE's history of sharing sensitive information on social media. One worker with projects in Asia said that they feared that DOGE could review and share their organization's data, putting staff at risk of harassment or even imprisonment.

"Our details are there," said another nonprofit employee who focuses on human rights in Iran. "That's actually been a really big concern for the whole community, because [Musk] has been posting stuff, and he doesn't care about the safety or security of our people."

The New Environment of Fear

The new rider that organizations are now vulnerable to lawsuits over suspected DEI practices is also creating an environment of fear for many workers. Such allegations might be especially difficult to disprove for organizations working with groups like women, religious minorities, or queer people.

"Because they do research about democracy," said Access Now's Al-Maskati, "they are now reaching out for assistance not just for their colleagues in other countries, but also for themselves and their own staff at home. They fear that their workers will be harassed or targeted online."

The Human Rights Community Reacts

Organizations like Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and Access Now have all been affected by the cuts to foreign aid. Many are struggling to come to terms with the devastating news and are scrambling to find ways to mitigate the impact.

"The cuts represent about 20 percent of our budget," said Damen. "We're having to re-evaluate our priorities and find ways to adapt to this new reality."

The Future Uncertain

The future of nonprofit organizations that rely on foreign aid funding is uncertain, with many workers fearful for their jobs and the safety of those they work with in other countries.

As one nonprofit worker said, "We just want to continue doing our work without fear of harassment or reprisal. We want to be able to focus on helping vulnerable populations without worrying about the politics of it all."

The Human Rights World Speaks Out

Many organizations have spoken out against the cuts to foreign aid, with some calling for a more comprehensive review of US foreign policy priorities.

"The cuts are not just a threat to nonprofit workers," said Al-Maskati. "They're also a threat to democracy and human rights around the world. We need to find ways to support our allies and partners in their efforts to promote peace, justice, and equality."

What's Next?

The future of foreign aid funding is uncertain, with many questions still to be answered. Will the US government find alternative solutions to support nonprofit organizations? Or will the cuts continue to have a devastating impact on those who rely on them?

One thing is clear: the human rights community needs urgent support and solidarity in the face of these unprecedented cuts. We must work together to ensure that our most vulnerable populations are protected and that democracy and human rights continue to thrive around the world.