As I’m sure you know, there have been significant cuts to U.S. funding for global aid programs. We knew this would affect our work, but we weren’t sure what the impact would look like. Now, we’re seeing it.

I’ve recently returned from visiting our programs in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Sudan.

In Ethiopia, our partners are set to run out of supplies to treat malnutrition by mid-July, forcing humanitarian health actors in the region to ration dwindling supplies by only treating severe acute cases of malnutrition and simply monitor the more moderate cases—even for pregnant and breastfeeding moms. This pause in preventive treatment could lead to increased cases of severe acute malnutrition. Mothers want to be able to feed their children. To not be able to do so is terrifying.

In Tanzania, we are at risk for significant funding cuts while conflict is escalating in Democratic Republic of Congo and our Tanzania teams continue to receive new refugees. Our teams believe people will likely die if cuts continue because it affects what services we can offer.

In Uganda, we’ve already been forced to lay off 70 staff members as we absorb significant funding cuts. At the same time, more than 60,000 new refugees have arrived from DRC since January, with 1 in 5 children arriving acutely malnourished. We need more staff. Not less.

In Sudan, our total funding dropped 66% while our caseload increased by 25%. Many global partners have suspended or reduced critical services like water, sanitation, nutrition, community health, and mental health services leaving large gaps and increasing pressure on our team. Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world with the highest displacement.

I could go on, but you get the picture: The need is increasing. Resources are dwindling. Lives are at risk. These rising needs and decreased funding terrify me because I know how much mothers and their families depend on us.

However… while policies change, our resolve to love our neighbors never will.

Will you help us? You can help provide life-saving medical care to people facing crisis and families forced to flee from violence. You can give young moms a safe place to give birth, save babies from preventable diseases, provide critical mental health services to people with severe mental health conditions, and help young children recover from malnutrition.

I promise you; we are careful with every dollar and excellent at what we do. Will you step in to help fill the gap and join us in this incredibly meaningful work?

Lauren Taylor, Chief of Global Programs