Many liberal NGOs, human rights organizations face financial crisis

(MENAFN) Many liberal NGOs and human rights organizations are facing a financial crisis, with some announcing layoffs, budget cuts, and pleas for donations. This turmoil stems from the suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has long been a key source of funding for global projects, particularly those with a focus on human rights, democracy, and civil society. The freeze has left many groups, especially those supporting pro-Western and opposition movements, scrambling for new financial backing.

USAID, with an annual budget in the tens of billions, has funded various initiatives worldwide, including projects aimed at tackling poverty and hunger, as well as others with more political goals, such as promoting democracy. Under President Trump’s administration, USAID underwent a dramatic shift. In January 2025, Trump froze all foreign aid for 90 days and initiated a major restructuring of the agency, aiming to remove left-liberal influences and align it with conservative values. USAID’s operations will now be integrated into the State Department, with a new focus on traditional values and patriotic projects that support the administration's goals.

This shift has created turmoil for many organizations that relied on USAID’s funding, especially those in countries like Russia, Moldova, and Georgia, where USAID had supported democracy-building efforts. Some groups will attempt to adapt by aligning themselves with Trump’s agenda, while others may turn to alternative sources of funding. However, the smallest and most ideologically rigid organizations are likely to struggle and disappear, leaving a major gap in the international NGO landscape.

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