Recent decisions to cut funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are expected to have dire consequences, particularly in seven African countries, where humanitarian aid is critical. Aid workers warn that almost $500 million in food is at risk of spoilage due to the funding freeze, exacerbating fears of increased hunger and illness globally. The inability of USAID to track $8.2 billion in unspent aid after a previous funding freeze under the Trump administration poses significant challenges. Farmers in the U.S. are also feeling the repercussions, with losses anticipated in grain markets directly linked to foreign aid dependencies. Experts caution that this reduction not only threatens numerous lives but also potentially enhances the influence of rival nations like China in areas historically supported by U.S. aid. The ongoing cuts disrupt operations of humanitarian organizations and local NGOs who are scrambling to adapt while facing a harsh reality of diminished resources and increased demand for assistance.