Statement: Impact of U.S. Government’s Foreign Assistance Cuts

Humanity & Inclusion has partnered with the U.S. government for years to deliver life-saving and life-changing aid to people with disabilities and other communities in need in times of peace, conflict and disaster.

With the January stop-work orders, more than 30 projects were halted. While some waivers have been received, they do not provide clarity on which activities can resume nor information on when, or if, HI would be reimbursed for the cost of those activities. HI has more than $19 million in outstanding invoices from the U.S. government for activities completed prior to the funding freeze.

This week, HI has received notices of terminations for more than a dozen contracts from USAID and the U.S. Department of State.

Below is a statement from Hannah Guedenet, U.S. Executive Director for Humanity & Inclusion:

 We are looking at the decimation of an industry and a complete disregard for human life.

 The current Administration's mass cuts to foreign assistance are not without serious harm. We are talking about people's lives - people who have trusted organizations like Humanity & Inclusion, in partnership with the U.S. government, to provide services for their most basic needs. Our fellow humans are being left behind.

 At HI, we are seeing programs cut that provide:

· Physical rehabilitation, prosthetics, and wheelchairs to people with injuries and disabilities
· Mental health care for survivors of traumatic experiences such as war, displacement, and disasters
· Disability inclusion initiatives that ensure people with disabilities have access to education, job opportunities, and social services

 HI isn't going anywhere, but with these funding cuts, the number of people we can serve, and the volume of our activities will be impacted. That's where we need others to step in, to bridge those funding gaps to keep HI's activities as strong as ever for people with disabilities in times of peace, conflict, and disaster.

HI has launched a special fundraising appeal at https://donor.hi-us.org/page/aid-2025

Hannah Guedenet, U.S. Executive Director, and other HI staff are available for interviews.