Children Are Dying Because of Elon Musk's Cut

5mins read: Lives on the Line: The Human Cost of Slashed Foreign Aid

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Hey Small Biters,

Children Are Dying Because of Elon Musk's Cut

• ​Sudden Aid Cuts Have Turned Deadly: The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, abruptly slashed USAID’s foreign health programs. These cuts have already resulted in preventable deaths—including 10-year-old Peter Donde in South Sudan, who died from pneumonia after his HIV treatment was cut off.

• Critical HIV Programs Dismantled: Programs like PEPFAR, which had provided life-saving antiretroviral medications to millions, were suspended overnight. Health workers report growing numbers of untreated HIV-positive children and pregnant women, leading to tragic outcomes that had been avoidable for years.

• Wider Global Health Impact: USAID’s shutdown has halted medication deliveries, nutrition programs, and maternal care initiatives in multiple countries. Clinics report increasing malnutrition, surging infections, and a complete breakdown in family planning services—including contraception and prenatal care.