Taveta, Kenya – July 19
Dozens of U.S.-backed clean water and sanitation projects across the globe have been left unfinished after the Trump administration slashed nearly all foreign aid earlier this year, a Reuters investigation has found.
The decision has put the lives of millions at risk — from farmers in Kenya to families in Congo — as essential infrastructure like wells, irrigation canals, and sanitation systems sit incomplete or deteriorating.
Funding Cuts, Widespread Fallout
At least 21 critical water and sanitation projects across 16 countries have come to a standstill, according to officials and internal memos reviewed by Reuters. Hundreds of millions in funding was canceled, leaving construction sites with exposed trenches, uninstalled materials, and abandoned machinery.
In Nepal, construction halted on over 100 drinking water systems, leaving thousands of bags of cement and plumbing gear unused. In Mali, unfinished water towers meant for schools and clinics remain rusting. Lebanon saw a solar-powered water utility project scrapped, resulting in job losses and increased reliance on costly diesel.
Kenya’s Broken Promises
In Taita Taveta County, Kenya, partially built irrigation canals now pose a greater threat than help. Locals fear worsening floods, with some saying their farms and homes are in direct danger.
“There’s nothing protecting me from the flooding now. It’ll only get worse,” says 74-year-old farmer Mary Kiba Chia.
A project initially budgeted at $100 million by USAID to benefit 150,000 Kenyans was halted after only 15% completion, leaving open ditches and building supplies vulnerable to theft and decay.
From Hope to Hazard
Unfinished USAID water kiosks in Congo have turned into playgrounds for children — in a region plagued by armed conflict.
“When girls go to fetch water, they are raped. When boys go, they are kidnapped,” said Evelyne Mbaswa, whose teenage son never came home after going to collect water in June.
Local NGOs and officials are sounding the alarm that these failures may lead to broader security risks, especially in regions where extremist groups are recruiting the disillusioned.
A memo from the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi warned:
“The reputational risk of abandoning these projects may quickly evolve into a security threat."
Partial Restarts — But Not Enough
One project in Jordan — a $6 billion desalination plant — was revived after intervention by the Jordanian government. But most other halted programs in Ethiopia, DR Congo, and Tanzania remain in limbo.
Meanwhile, locals like Juma Kubo in Taveta say they’re trying to raise money by selling leftover construction materials to finish the canal themselves.
“Without plastering, the canal walls will collapse when the rains come,” he said.
Why It Matters
For years, U.S.-backed water initiatives have helped reduce disease, increase school attendance for girls, and improve local resilience to climate shocks. According to John Oldfield, a longtime water project consultant:
“You can either send girls to fetch water — or you can send them to school. That’s the choice.”
Final Word
This isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about human dignity, safety, and the unraveling of hard-earned progress.
“We’re not just losing aid. We’re losing hope,” said Tjada D’Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps.
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