GLOBAL EMERGENCY UPDATE
SUSPENDED U.S. HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IMPACTS THE MOST VULNERABLE AROUND THE WORLD

A series of changes in U.S. international assistance has led to the suspension of vital humanitarian and development programs, which is having dire implications for human life and dignity. Catholic Relief Services teams and partners across the world are witnessing the impacts in real time: As food distributions are halted, people are going hungry. Without treatment for acute malnutrition, children will die. Entire communities are without shelter and clean water. Farmers are unable to plant crops. Mothers and their young children are losing access to critical health care. While there has been an exemption for some lifesaving assistance—like medicine, food and shelter—funds for many of these programs have yet to be released.

“As Christians, let us always make charity, faith and hope the basis of our lives and our actions.”
—Pope Francis, World Day of the Poor, November 2022

CRS AND U.S. ASSISTANCE

In our more than 80 years of work for people in need around the world, CRS has had a front-line view on how humanitarian assistance makes the world—including the United States—a safer place. Thriving societies contribute to greater global stability, reduce the risk of conflict, and create safer and more prosperous environments that benefit everyone. Integrating young people into society, which is the goal of some of our programming, makes them less likely to turn to violent extremism. Farmers who turn a profit can stay on their land rather than migrate out of desperation.

CRS has been fortunate to work with many partners—primarily the Catholic Church—in some of the most remote, vulnerable places on Earth. And we have been proud recipients of U.S. humanitarian assistance for numerous transformative, lifesaving programs that change the trajectory of people’s lives. While we look forward to working with the new administration to be even more impactful, here are just a few examples of how suspending U.S. humanitarian assistance impacts the millions of people who CRS and our partners reach daily in more than 100 countries.

In Kenya

• Malnourished children are no longer receiving therapeutic foods and supplementary feeding supplies—without which, they are at risk of becoming acutely malnourished and dying.
• 110,000 people, including children, and pregnant and nursing mothers, are left without treatment for malnutrition and immunization against disease.
• 25,000 people have limited or no access to clean water as construction of water infrastructure stops.

In Guatemala

• 10,000 families are not receiving the tools, seeds and cash they need to plant their crops in the upcoming May planting season. This missed planting means an increase in hunger and malnutrition—both of which are leading causes of migration.

In Iraq

• 1,205 young men and women, including those from minority Yazidi and Christian ethnic groups, are not receiving seed money and community grants for youth employment and empowerment projects, which could spur migration abroad, increase the risk of radicalization and sectarianism, and decrease trust in U.S. support for religious minorities.

In Haiti

• 65,285 people who are displaced by conflict are not receiving staple foods intended to prevent women and children from going hungry.

In Vietnam

• Among the 7,875 people with disabilities and their caregivers served by CRS, many are not receiving therapy, equipment or livelihoods support, endangering their health and ability to lead independent lives.
• 320 providers are no longer receiving medical training or upgrading of medical skills to support people with severe disabilities or chronic illnesses.

STORIES OF IMPACT: HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND CRS PROGRAMMING

The PRO-RAICES project in Guatemala had worked to improve food security and economic stability for 457,000 participants by teaching farmers effective practices to restore land, conserve water and boost yields, while also helping communities activate emergency plans. It sought to address the severe malnutrition crisis, particularly among children, and helps families build resilience through improved farming practices and crop diversification.

The Joint Emergency Operation in Ethiopia supports people affected by severe drought and food insecurity. It has been assisting an average of 1.8 million people per month since December 2023, making it one of the largest food assistance programs in East Africa. By addressing hunger and stabilizing communities, JEOP helps prevent mass migration and regional instability, which can lead to refugee crises and increased pressure on neighboring countries and international resources.

“The fuel of the human being is food—to stand, to walk, to work, even to speak. When I am hungry, my heart is tired. My stomach feels sick. I lose my ability to think or communicate. I lose my power. I can only sleep.”
—Batlewat Sete, a program participant in Ethiopia
 

For years, the Nawiri project has improved health, nutrition and economic stability in northern Kenya. By providing essential health services, clean water and food security measures, Nawiri supported vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women and new mothers. In the project, families could improve their livelihoods and financial resilience—leading to greater stability and reduced migration and conflict.

Livelihoods: Enhancing Economic Stability In Iraq

The Shared Future project in Iraq helped to address the insecure environment among different ethnic and religious groups that remained after the ISIS occupation. It supported youth employment, built intercommunal relationships and promoted economic and social benefits of peaceful cohabitation. The stopping of this project would have severe impacts, including increased migration, radicalization and sectarianism, and disrupting community stability and economic opportunities.

Local Leadership: Strengthening Local Capacities, Reducing Reliance On Aid

The CRS EMPOWER approach has been strengthening the capacity of local organizations to support communities affected by emergencies. Local Church and civil society organizations are often the first to respond to crises, and have long-standing presence, experience and credibility in communities. For years, U.S. government funds have helped CRS build the capacity of local organizations, governments and civil society to respond effectively in times of crisis. The investment had also helped reduce reliance on international assistance.

“The benefit that EMPOWER has brought to Caritas is the ability to grow as an institution … As a national and local organization, we are the ones who know the realities of the area and the situations they are experiencing.”
—Cristina Pancho, Caritas Ecuador

Preventing Violent Extremism: Strengthening Livelihoods In Mali

When people feel connected to their society, they are less likely to turn to violent extremism. The Kisili 6 project, led by CRS and local partners, sought to address the root causes of extremism by providing resources that support basic survival needs and improve livelihoods. Strengthening local partners is crucial as they can operate more effectively, a core pillar of stability contributing to a more secure Sahel region.

Global Health: Eliminating Malaria In The Gambia

The Gambia’s National Malaria Control Program has led to remarkable progress: From 2004 to 2014, malaria prevalence dropped from 4% to 0.2%, and malaria cases fell 50%. The program also distributed nearly 4 million long-lasting insecticidal nets and trained 33,000 peer health educators, reaching more than 210,000 young people. Eliminating diseases like malaria is critical for ensuring global stability. Low-cost insecticide-treated bed nets and medicines can protect families from this devasting illness. CRS is a major player in the fight against malaria and relies on funding from the U.S. government and others to assist national malaria control programs around the world.
 

Impact Of The 90-Day Aid Suspension On A Child’s First 1,000 Days Of Life

The 1,000 days from conception to a child’s second birthday are critical for development, playing a significant role in shaping the child’s future. The 90-day freeze on U.S. humanitarian assistance—representing almost 10% of a child’s first 1,000 days, or one-third of a woman’s pregnancy—means the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children are at risk.

Ensuring good nutrition during a child’s first 1,000 days is critical to their physical and mental growth—as well as the future of entire societies. For children and infants under age 2, the consequences of malnutrition can be irreversible. Babies who are malnourished in the womb have a higher risk of dying in infancy. Children whose growth is stunted can have weakened immune systems. In addition, they’re less able to perform well in school later in life and are less likely to find job opportunities as adults.

CRS collaborates with local churches and organizations to deliver compassionate, lifesaving care that strengthens families and communities. Our programs meet urgent, lifesaving needs and promote long-term health and stability. For decades, many of these lifesaving programs have been supported by the U.S. government.
 

Humanitarian Assistance And Our Mission

As Catholics, we are called to protect our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Catholic social teaching emphasizes the responsibility of wealthier nations to support poorer ones, and the principle of solidarity—that we are a global community and one human family. This belief recognizes that the fates of people everywhere are interconnected. Our commitment to these values guides us to uphold the dignity of all people. We act on this commitment with the highest standards of professionalism, ensuring that we fulfill our mission effectively, efficiently and with good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us.