Trump's Aid Freeze Threatens Jacobabad's Water Supply

The foreign aid freeze implemented by former U.S. President Donald Trump threatens the supply of fresh, filtered water in Jacobabad, one of the hottest cities in the world, where temperatures often exceed 50°C. A $66 million grant from USAID, initiated in 2012, was aimed at improving municipal services, including a critical water purification project. However, HANDS, a Pakistani NGO, reports that Trump's aid suspension has blocked $1.5 million necessary for the project's sustainability, putting the water supply at risk of collapse within months. The facility currently serves approximately 350,000 residents, and local officials, now managing the system, lack the technical expertise required to maintain it. Residents express deep concern over the potential loss of water supply, which is essential for survival in a region already facing extreme heat and drought conditions. Without immediate alternative funding or support, the situation could deteriorate significantly, leading to severe public health crises.