*Last updated: 3/20/2025
Was Alight impacted by the Executive Order announced on January 24, 2025, freezing existing foreign aid programs?
Yes, Alight received significant funding from the U.S. foreign aid budget for five of our country enterprise programs: Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. The stop work order and notice of suspensions announced on January 24, 2025, required Alight to immediately stop work on critical programs.
What does the termination of 83% of USAID programs mean for humanitarian aid organizations?
On Monday, March 10, the Secretary of State announced that it had terminated 83% (5,200) USAID programs and that the surviving initiatives– less than a fifth of America’s previous aid portfolio – would be absorbed by the state department.
The review period which was initially 90-days was completed in 6 weeks and resulted in the termination of lifesaving programs for refugees, malnourished children, and pregnant mothers in fragile countries like South Sudan and Myanmar.
A few of the termination letters received by organizations were rescinded the following week which means that Alight has since been able to restart select lifesaving activities in Sudan and Somalia.
However, there are still critical programs such as protection services for women and girls that are on hold and remain in jeopardy. Supporting our work and donating will help us continue these lifesaving programs.
But has Alight been forced to leave any of the places it works?
We haven’t yet had to leave any of the countries where we work, but we have had to close critical programs such as protection services for women and children fleeing violence and lifesaving health programs for drug-resistant malaria. So far, it’s funding from the U.S. government that has been lost, not our permission or ability to work in any of the countries or places we do.
What can I do first?
Donate. We're doing everything possible to continue lifesaving programs. More than ever, your gift matters.
