In the once-lively town of Sarmada, located in northern Syria, the consequences of the U.S. halting foreign assistance have become glaringly apparent. Dr. Mohammad Fares unlocks the door to a clinic that used to be bustling with healthcare activity. Now, it only offers scarce supplies, such as expired drugs and a few boxes of bandages. This scene mirrors the reality faced by many due to the Trump administration's freeze on U.S. foreign aid — a decision intended to reassess what the administration perceives as wasteful spending.
Dr. Fares had been diligently serving thousands across three clinics managed by Médicins du Monde, popularly known as Doctors of the World. These clinics provided free healthcare to displaced populations in Syria, specifically in territories that were once strongholds of resistance during the country's protracted conflict. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit northern Syria and Turkey in 2023 exacerbated the already dire conditions, displacing even more individuals to grim camps, with homes often destroyed or uninhabitable.
A stark reality emerged as 10 clinics, previously supported by USAID funds, shut their doors, leaving about 35,000 displaced individuals without care. Fares, overseeing medical operations for the organization, expressed grave concern: “The absence of consistent aid will trigger a healthcare disaster, heavily burdening emergency hospitals and threatening to impact the most vulnerable among us.”
Without centralized government healthcare systems, the region relies overwhelmingly on nonprofit organizations for health services. The sudden cessation of U.S. funds drastically amplifies the already precarious health situation. Ian Mitchell, a senior policy fellow, underscores the economic ramifications, equating the withdrawal of USAID support to a staggering 5% impact on the region’s struggling economy. Despite representing a fraction of U.S. budgetary allocations, this aid held significant influence in stabilizing volatile regions such as Syria and Gaza.
In a nearby camp near Kawkaba village, children play amidst a sea of tents, a testament to the crowded and inadequate living conditions. Abdelkareem Khaled, the camp director, notes how the aid suspension has only deepened hardships. Chronically ill patients can no longer access previously affordable medication, facing impossible choices daily.
A heart-wrenching story comes from Bassam Hussein, a father of four daughters. Faced with thyroid medication costs of $12 every 20 days and unable to work due to his health, he resorted to having his 12-year-old daughter work in agriculture to meet these expenses. Hussein’s predicament exemplifies the dire decisions many are forced to make under these new constraints.
While some organizations attempt to continue operations amid financial uncertainties, the future remains bleak. The Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), which leads hospitals and mobile clinics in the region, finds itself in a precarious situation. Though it maintains crucial services, sustaining these without clear financial backing seems untenable. “Unless we receive necessary waivers or reimbursement, our ability to function remains uncertain,” stated Dr. Mufaddal Hamadeh, president of SAMS.
Despite waivers exempting emergency food supply and life-saving programs, funding shortages persist, hampering efforts to revive or continue operations fully. Dr. Hamadeh warns that without resumption of aid, many essential services targeting mental health, torture survivors, and chronic disease management may shut down, further alienating vulnerable communities.
The cessation of crucial aid funding is also political, touched upon by decisions by prominent figures, including Donald Trump and Elon Musk, emphasizing cost-cutting as part of broader governmental efficiency strategies. However, SLA president Hamadeh reiterated that these cuts overlook the far-reaching impacts on geopolitical stability and humanitarian welfare.
Aid such as that provided by USAID has played a pivotal role in improving global humanitarian efforts and supporting U.S. international reputation. The abrupt halting of operations threatens to undermine years of progress and compassion, especially in war-torn regions like northwest Syria. As the displaced and needy look to regain some semblance of normalcy, the absence of such aid only deepens the ongoing humanitarian crisis, revealing the critical importance of these initiatives.
