U.S. government aid funding has historically been a lifeline for vulnerable communities worldwide and here at home. Foreign aid has not only been a means for survival for countless families facing war, food insecurity, natural disasters, and pandemics, but it has also protected American interests—controlling disease outbreaks, preventing conflicts and instability and addressing global challenges like mass migration. Like many humanitarian organizations, CORE has been impacted by the unprecedented and abrupt funding cuts. This disruption in foreign aid is a matter of life or death for the communities we serve. Despite these challenges, we continue to provide vital care in Haiti, Sudan, Ukraine, and across multiple U.S. states. But we urgently need support to sustain our work. 

We also recently learned that U.S. federal public health funding for our essential programs in the state of Georgia has been eliminated, forcing us to shut them down abruptly. This means an immediate halt to critical services in rural areas where the nearest medical facility may be a great distance away. The impact on vulnerable communities losing essential healthcare is devastating. We are also heartbroken for our dedicated staff, who worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and beyond to support their communities, only to be terminated without time to transition. Their commitment and sacrifices have been extraordinary, and we are forever grateful.