Impact of aid cuts on people affected by crises

Keeping quality and accountability at the heart of response

The rapid withdrawal of US funding has left the humanitarian sector in turmoil, along with cuts to aid budgets from other major government donors signal this trend looks set to continue. This page provides practical information, guidance on quality and accountability, and comment on the rapidly evolving situation to support organisations in maintaining their CHS commitments.

🚨 Survey: We Need Your Insights! 🚨

As the rapid withdrawal of humanitarian funding is felt worldwide, we want your views on how these cuts are impacting quality and accountability in your organisation.

Please complete this short survey and share your real-world experiences. Your feedback will guide our understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector, and help the CHS Alliance and Sphere target support to our members and beyond. Complete the survey: https://bit.ly/QASurvy

⏳ Survey Deadline: 11th April 2025

Messaging with communities

CHS Alliance has been working with ICVA to suggest some messaging for organisations to keep people and communities affected by the US funding suspension informed about the evolving situation.

Download the messaging: Collective messaging on suspensions and stoppages of humanitarian assistance.

The Board of CHS Alliance’s response to USAID cuts

The Board calls that we ensure communities can exercise rights and participate in decisions, and access support that is timely, effective, does no harm, is co-ordinated and complementary.

Unwavering solidarity: Defending people’s rights and dignity in this time of crisis | CHS Alliance

Leaders from across the sector, including CHS Alliance’s Tanya Wood, also issued a statement in their personal capacity:

The Humanitarian Imperative Must Come First

Impact on Q&A: resources

ICVA’s resources include advice on the 90 day suspension of USAID funding: ICVA 90-day suspension resources
Ground Truth Solutions has run an impact analysis on the USAID funds suspension: Ground Truth Solutions impact analysis
Loop’s Keeping people safe service.
H2H network on Impact of US Foreign Aid Freeze on Critical Humanitarian Tools and Services
NEAR Network on USG Funding Freeze
Bond’s guidelines on Closing programs whilst keeping people safe

CHS Alliance Member Events / Activities

April 2025: CHS Alliance Members Community World Service Asia and Act Church of Sweden are working on a practice paper exploring the impact of recent funding cuts on humanitarian aid—focusing on program closures, workforce reductions, and the resulting effects on aid workers and communities. As part of the process, they are conducting an anonymous survey here: https://forms.gle/S1frjeDKCqfJgpnc8 (deadline 15 April 2025).

A message from Tanya Wood, our ED

“The past months have been brutal for the sector, and we know the implications are far-reaching, with countless people unable to access the support and protection they rely on and no organisations left untouched. This is a stressful time, and we stand with you in the difficult conversations and decisions being made.

We know that at this time, keeping the needs of the communities at the forefront by maintaining CHS commitments, must continue to guide us to ensure limited resources are used effectively. I strongly believe that we must stand by our commitments and not allow these strains to undo the huge progress we have made in accountability and meaningful engagement with affected communities.

We are here to support you with practical information, tips, guides and an open channel for communication. Please reach out to us, and to share your thoughts with the wider community.”

Tracking the cuts: useful resources

- Devex is providing a rolling update on aid cuts: Scoop: USAID asks partners for information on recently cut awards | Devex
- Humentum’s survey results on the impact of the global aid freeze Global Aid Freeze Tracker – Impacts of the United States Government’s Stop Work Orders
- Humentum’s Guide: Navigating the USG Funding Pause for Foreign Assistance Programs
- Bond issued a joint letter of 138 agencies regarding UK cuts Move to cut UK aid will “destroy Labour’s legacy on international development” say NGO leaders in letter to PM and Treasury – World | ReliefWeb

CHS Alliance support

CHS e-learnings

Here is a list of self-learning resources available, on the CHS as well as PSEAH and SEAH Investigation CHS & PSEAH elearnings offer | CHS Alliance

Good practice examples

Please send us examples of how you are putting people at the centre of response during this difficult time. We will regularly share these examples across the network to encourage and inspire each other. Email Rosa on rargent@chsalliance.org.

Help from the wider community

Are you interested in sharing experiences with other colleagues? At our regular AAP COP sessions we will be regularly discussing and learning from each other.

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Questions or concerns

Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or concerns on the CHS commitments, and maintaining an accountable, person-centred approach. Email chs@chsalliance.org.