The sweeping overhaul of the United States Agency for International Development by the administration of President Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through Southeast Asia, where numerous non-governmental organizations rely on its funding to provide critical humanitarian aid. The decision to halt funding for multiple development projects has put thousands of vulnerable people at risk and left aid organizations scrambling for alternative sources of support.
At the end of January, the Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance in Cambodia received sudden notice that all funding for its tuberculosis program would be suspended for 90 days. The organization, commonly known as KHANA, detects approximately 10,000 tuberculosis cases annually and provides preventive treatment and medical care to thousands of people in rural communities. With funding cut off, KHANA’s executive director, Choub Sok Chamreun, warned that many Cambodians would soon lose access to life-saving care. He described the impact as a complete disruption of services for tuberculosis patients who rely on community health workers for regular follow-ups, treatment support, and mental health assistance.
The cuts to the United States Agency for International Development, part of a radical cost-cutting initiative led by technology billionaire Elon Musk, threaten the very existence of humanitarian aid projects across the region. The agency had allocated $860 million to Southeast Asia in 2023, providing vital support for healthcare, economic development, education, and democratic governance in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The disparity in economic development across the region, where countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar remain heavily dependent on foreign aid, has made the abrupt withdrawal of funding even more devastating.
As part of the restructuring, all direct-hire or permanent staff of the United States Agency for International Development have been placed on administrative leave and given 30 days to return to the United States if stationed overseas. Reports indicate that fewer than 300 of the agency’s approximately 10,000 workers will remain to operate a vastly reduced version of the organization. The dismantling of the agency is being overseen by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is serving in an acting capacity.
Critics have condemned the move as unconstitutional, arguing that the United States Congress enshrined the agency’s independent status in law. In Thailand, the repercussions have already been felt, with non-governmental organizations forced to shutter healthcare centers serving Myanmar refugees. Staff members have reported consolidating operations to just two centers, discharging stable patients, and transferring critical cases to Thai hospitals. Many refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border, including the Mae La Refugee Camp, are struggling to secure food supplies and fear they will run out within weeks.
Human rights organizations have also been severely affected. Emilie Palamy Pradichit, director of the Bangkok-based Manushya Foundation, described the growing risks faced by activists and their families who depend on emergency assistance. She warned that without immediate funding, her organization would be unable to provide safe housing for individuals facing political persecution.
The lack of clarity surrounding the funding cuts has added to the chaos. A former United States Agency for International Development employee who previously worked in Southeast Asia stated that implementing partners, including non-governmental organizations and contractors, had only received stop-work orders without any follow-up guidance. The employee suggested that the 90-day suspension was a de facto elimination of programs, as organizations are required to maintain no more than 30 days of funding reserves under agency regulations.
While some within the non-governmental organization community acknowledge that the United States Agency for International Development requires reform to improve efficiency, they argue that shutting down the agency is not the solution. A Thailand-based non-governmental organization employee noted that while large sums of money have been allocated to the agency, much of it does not reach frontline organizations, leaving local groups with minimal resources.
In Cambodia, Phin Savey, secretary-general of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association, warned that many of the organization’s programs may have to be suspended unless alternative funding sources can be found. He emphasized that while monitoring human rights violations can continue without financial support, most advocacy and intervention activities require a budget.
As organizations across Southeast Asia struggle to cope with the sudden loss of funding, the long-term consequences of the cuts remain uncertain. Aid workers and human rights defenders fear that the damage will be lasting and, in some cases, irreparable, as communities reliant on United States-backed initiatives are left without critical support.
