The recent decision by the US government to freeze nearly all foreign aid has sparked widespread upheaval within the global aid community, particularly affecting Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asian humanitarian groups. With millions of children and families at risk, the halt in assistance is sending shockwaves through critical sectors such as public health and humanitarian efforts. Key projects in the Balkans and vital support for organizations like USAID are now at a standstill, raising alarms about the potential consequences of this decision. As civil society in Russia faces a crisis and nations like Bangladesh consider alternatives to US aid, the impacts of this freeze are profound and far-reaching. Lawmakers, including Marco Rubio, have defended the freeze as a means to prioritize national interests, yet critics warn that cutting off assistance could ultimately harm US interests abroad. Amidst chaos and restructuring at USAID, many senior officials have been put on leave as investigations into resistance to the aid pause unfold, leaving the agency in a precarious position.