I have been closely following the recent news of the foreign aid funding freeze and the dismantling of USAID. These announcements have sent shock waves across the globe, jeopardizing the future of critically important work in low-income countries — including hard-fought strides to improve reproductive and maternal health in Uganda.
There’s a lot we don’t know, as things are changing daily.
For now, we’re focusing on what we do know. That’s why I’m writing today — to share what we know and what we’re doing:
What we know
Uganda’s healthcare system as a whole relies heavily on USAID funding. However this is not the case with Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital, which is funded primarily through private donations and support from non-governmental partners.
Several Terrewode partners are facing USAID cuts, so we’re preparing for the very real possibility that Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital will face a budget shortfall in the coming months.
The disruption to USAID services will be severe and long-lasting. Regardless of how courts rule on legal challenges filed against these and other cuts, the Trump administration has made it clear it’s determined to gut U.S. investments in foreign aid.
What we’re doing
We’re staying calm and connected with the Terrewode team. We’re in touch regularly and are working to ensure they have the resources they need to continue providing exceptional care to every woman and girl who walks through their doors.
We’re remembering we’ve faced uphill battles before. When the COVID pandemic hit, Terrewode quickly mobilized a 24/7 emergency ambulance service to get women in labor the care they urgently needed, as well as phone counseling and follow-up care for fistula patients.
We're reaching out to you and everyone in our community to thank you for standing with us and investing in Terrewode’s work to end fistula in Uganda and improve access to safe childbirth.
What you can do
1. Stay informed. The flood of news about funding freezes, furloughs, and so many other moves the White House is taking can feel overwhelming. To help you sift through it all, we’ve compiled this curated list of articles and commentary from sources we trust.
2. Speak up. Contact your lawmakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and urge them to fight the funding freezes and attempts to shut down USAID. Here are links to look up your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative.
3. Give what you can. Help us continue standing in solidarity with Terrewode, today, in the turbulent months ahead, and for years to come. Any gift of any amount helps make this life-changing work possible.
Bonnie Ruder is Executive Director of Terrewode Women's Fund.