United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officials stated that virtually all humanitarian work was halted, ABC News reported.
"Right now, there is no USAID humanitarian assistance happening," an agency official told ABC News, adding that "there are waivers put in place by Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio for emergency food assistance and a number of other sectors, but they are a fraud and a sham and intended to give the illusion of continuity, which is untrue." They clarified that Rubio's waiver was not actionable because "there is no staff left anymore to actually process waiver requests or to move money or to make awards or to do anything," as the agency has "ceased to exist."
Additionally, the officials said that the freeze introduced a great deal of uncertainty and insecurity regarding the status of their work and their lives, leaving them without resources or homes to return to.
