The U.S. Government’s decision to close USAID has frozen $39,547,146 in funds committed to defending freedom in Myanmar over the next three years. It remains unclear when—or if—these essential funds will be reinstated.

USAID’s committed funds include:

• $8 million for seven projects defending human rights;
• $30 million for nine initiatives promoting democracy; and
• $1 million for two programmes supporting independent media.

These funds are vital for organisations challenging military rule and promoting democracy, which advance U.S. interests by upholding American values and countering China’s authoritarian influence. A prolonged suspension will have severe, long-term consequences for Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement.

The funding freeze is already disrupting critical programmes. Local human rights, democracy, and media organisations—many of which operate on tight budgets—are being forced to close programmes, terminate staff, and scale back essential services. Without urgent intervention, many will not survive. Once lost, experienced personnel and effective projects will be difficult, if not impossible, to restart. If reinstatement is delayed, local partners may be too weakened to effectively absorb or implement the funds.

A permanent suspension would be catastrophic, potentially bankrupting organisations and dismantling civil society infrastructure that took years to build. The loss of these funds would reverse hard-won progress in the struggle for human rights, democracy, and press freedom in post-coup Myanmar.

The USAID freeze has halted funding for 34 projects in Myanmar. In addition to human rights and democracy projects, USAID has also suspended $22 million for humanitarian aid, $36 million for agriculture, $22 million for health, and $30 million for education. These are current commitments and do not include new projects that were due to start in 2025.

Among the current commitments, $10 million was allocated to tuberculosis and HIV projects, which now face an uncertain future. The impact of these cuts will be felt most acutely by the people of Myanmar, particularly those in marginalised communities.

In November 2024, Human Rights Myanmar warned that a shift in U.S. policy could undermine the very foundation of civil society in the country. This decision does more than cut budgets—it threatens the survival of organisations that play a crucial role in defending freedom in Myanmar.

The U.S. government must act immediately to reinstate these funds and ensure that its commitments to human rights and democracy in Myanmar are upheld. Congress, the Senate, and administration policymakers must prevent this funding freeze from becoming a permanent setback. If necessary, a transparent, accountable review process should take place while funding continues to flow, ensuring that vital initiatives are not irreversibly damaged.

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