The Human Rights Peep (HRW) organization warned that the cuts applied by Donald Trump’s government to US foreign aid in 2025 have caused “immediate and widespread” effects. in the protection of human rights around the world, weakening civil organizations, assistance programs and accountability mechanisms in countries affected by conflict, violence and authoritarian regimes.
In a 42-page report titled “Every autocrat’s dream: A global overview of the harm to human rights resulting from cuts to US foreign aid”HRW maintains that the abrupt suspension of funding between January and March of this year directly affected investigations into abuses, appropriate support for victims and projects focused on press freedom, access to information and digital protection.
“The withdrawal of US government support from the global human rights movement was music to the ears of autocrats,” said Sarah Yagerwho noted that many organizations were forced to reduce operations or close completely due to the sudden loss of resources.
According to the report, for decades the United States was the world’s leading donor for programs related to human rights and institutional strengthening. However, the Trump administration pushed for a drastic restructuring of foreign aid that affected initiatives in dozens of countries.
NEW: The United States govt’s abrupt cuts to practically all US international advantage in 2025 harmed the global human rights stream and built many folks at risk.
While no govt is obliged to provide international advantage, the vogue the US terminated aid resulted in foreseeable anguish… pic.twitter.com/eVrZyxQKL9
— Human Rights Peep (@hrw) Can also merely 14, 2026
Organizations reduce staff and suspend investigations
The report analyzes the impact of the cuts in at least 16 countries, including Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ukraine, Myanmar, Guatemala, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of the Congowhere local organizations reported layoffs of staff, cancellation of programs and difficulties in continuing with monitoring and humanitarian assistance work.
HRW documented interruptions in investigations related to disappearances, political violence, and abuses against vulnerable communities. He also noted that several organizations stopped offering appropriate and psychological support to victims of violence due to lack of funding.
“Every time this type of support is interrupted, the mechanisms that protect at-risk communities are weakened and accountability in the face of abuse is made more difficult,” the report states..
The organization added that the effects of the cuts have been especially severe in contexts where civil groups relied heavily on US funds to operate emergency and community protection programs.
They ask the US Congress for an independent review.
Although HRW recognizes that no government has an appropriate obligation to provide foreign aid, the organization maintains that the way Washington carried out the budget reductions caused “foreseeable and avoidable harm.”
For this reason, the organization asked the United States Congress to conduct an independent review of the consequences of the cuts. and evaluate the possibility of restoring funding for international human rights programs in future federal budgets.
The report also calls on allied governments, multilateral organizations and private foundations to reinforce financial support for the global human rights movement in the face of the advance of authoritarianism and the increase in humanitarian crises in different regions.
“By cutting funding so quickly and across the board, the U.S. government snatched a lifeline from many people experiencing abuse,” Yager said. “The resilience of human rights organizations has been extraordinary, but their determination is no substitute for sustained support.”
Keep reading:
- The UN warns of global “apathy” when presenting its humanitarian campaign for 2026
- Supreme Court allows Trump to freeze foreign aid funds
- Supreme Court authorizes Trump to withhold billions in foreign aid payments
