This decision comes as a direct result of the recent dismantling of U.S. foreign aid which has triggered a cascading humanitarian crisis across some of the world’s most fragile regions. Hospitals and clinics are closing, healthcare workers are overburdened, often working without payment, and millions of people are losing access to basic, life-saving healthcare.

“This is not just a funding issue—this is a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe,” says our CEO Craig Redmond.

“In Lebanon, primary healthcare centers are shutting down. In Syria, millions—including pregnant women and children—are at risk of losing critical hospital services. In South Sudan, our teams are running out of medical supplies. Every day we learn more stories of lives being needlessly lost.”

Renk in South Sudan continues to receive thousands of returnees and refugees fleeing the war in Sudan every day. As a result of the U.S. funding freeze, we’ve already been forced to close one of three health facilities, and to cancel a critical procurement of medical supplies which included life-saving medication for malaria, as well as antibiotics.

Without urgent support to bridge the gap, we will be forced to shutter the remaining two health facilities leaving communities – most of whom are women and children who have walked for days in search of safety – with no access to healthcare.

We currently treat almost 400 patients every day. Staff provide consultations, emergency newborn deliveries and resuscitations, treatment for cholera, screening and referrals for malnutrition, mental health support, referrals to secondary healthcare and onward transport to refugee camps in Maban.

“People are saying ‘please don’t leave us’. They are traumatized, and in desperate need of healthcare and basic supplies having fled the violence in Sudan with nothing. They do not even have cash to buy paracetamol from the market,” said Garang Ngon Riak, a Relief International Team Leader in Renk.

“Last week our doctors performed 16 life-saving c-sections for mothers arriving by foot and donkey carts. The treatment we’re providing is critical and we are all terrified of what will happen if we can no longer provide it,” he added Dr Ajak, who manages one of Relief International’s health facilities in Renk said: “Things are extremely difficult. People are asking so many questions about their fate. As a doctor, when you have nothing in your hands to treat the patient in front of you, it is beyond heartbreaking.”

Scale of the Crisis

Since the January 24, 2025 Executive Orders suspending all U.S. foreign aid, our humanitarian operations across the globe have been critically affected.

Northwest and Northeast Syria: We are no longer able to support 29 health facilities including 14 primary health care centers, seven general hospitals and one mental health hospital, four mobile clinics, two physical rehabilitation centers and one nutrition stabilization center. Together these 29 facilities provided care for almost 2 million people. Without them, lives are being lost. People in hard-to-reach areas will be completely cut off from critical health services. The seven hospitals alone provided life-saving emergency c-sections, blood transfusions, treatment for conflict-related injuries and intensive care. With the interruption of funding, these hospitals are expected to fully stop or significantly reduce their lifesaving services.

South Sudan: Only with urgent support can Relief International:

• Re-open seven mobile medical units within remote communities that have been forced to close
• Re-instate critical procurements of medical supplies for health facilities in Renk and Maban that we have been forced to cancel. We urgently need life-saving medication for diseases like malaria, as well as antibiotics, for communities who are displaced by the war in Sudan and in desperate need of treatment
• Respond to the mass displacement crisis currently taking place in Ulang and Nasir. Tens of thousands have been displaced by growing insecurity and are suffering from a cholera outbreak. We have water purification tablets and cholera medication but as a result of the freeze, we do not have the means to transport these critical supplies.
• Keep 10 health facilities in Maban’s refugee camps open which provide care for over 200,000 refugees. Currently, Relief International’s midwives are safely delivering 500 babies every month in Maban.

Yemen: 18 health facilities will likely close unless another funding source is urgently found for medicine and staff payments. These health facilities provide services for over 128,000 people. Without them, over 5,500 children will risk severe illness or death from lack of treatment for acute malnutrition in the next 12 months.

Lebanon: five critical primary healthcare centers face imminent closure, putting 35,000 people at risk of treatment for chronic illnesses and mental health services.

An appeal to our community to step up to help fill the gap

“The international humanitarian system is at a breaking point. While governments stall aid, the need has never been greater. Relief International is mobilizing donors, corporations, and foundations to bridge the gap and prevent further suffering,” said Craig Redmond.

“This is not a time for hesitation—it’s a time for action. We refuse to abandon the people who need us most, and we call on our community to step up.”

Despite all the challenges we are facing, we are actively shifting the way we work to maximize efficiency and ensure that more lives are not lost. Your support is crucial in this time of crisis.

How you can help

DONATE TO RI: Immediate funding is needed to sustain emergency medical programs.

PARTNER: Corporations and foundations can directly support healthcare programs, ensuring access to essential medicine and treatment. Please email [email protected] for more information.

ADVOCATE: Help amplify the urgent need for restoring humanitarian funding.