Adapting: When aid disappears — the need doesn’t end

Xaawo Ruuble holds her SCOPE card, waiting to redeem her voucher, during a visit by USAID in Toon, Somaliland. Under the SCOPE platform, WFP provides unconditional food assistance to save lives for drought-affected communities through Cash-Based Transfers, contributing to improving their food security situation. Lack of rain and other environmental factors mean a severe drought affects millions of people across Somalia. Photo: UNICEF / Arete

This month has mirrored some of the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic — an abrupt halt, uncertainty, and an immediate strain on global aid.

When USAID funding was frozen on January 20th, the effects were felt across the humanitarian sector, with projects shutting down and being put on hold. Drastic cuts to the UK aid budget have added more uncertainty. Yet, as the pandemic demonstrated, NGOs will adapt.

In 2024, the US accounted for 40% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the UN (UN). USAID was the world’s largest humanitarian donor (The Atlantic), and its funding freeze affects 177 countries (The Guardian). Within the first two weeks of the freeze, nearly 2 million women and girls lost access to contraceptive treatments (ReliefWeb) experts warn that the funding gap increases the risk of a global Mpox emergency (The Guardian); and it has left approximately 500,000 metric tons of food aid, valued at $340 million, stranded in transit or storage, jeopardising food security for millions (Reuters). USAID-funded programs supported HIV treatment in South Africa, emergency service workers in Ukraine, independent media in Latin America, and education for girls in Afghanistan (OPB). The halt in funding has also forced the closure of support services for millions of displaced people, mainly from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar (Reuters).

A worker stacks sacks of food aid funded by USAID in a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse in a port in Somalia.
Photo: WFP / Arete

The need of people doesn’t end because the aid has stopped. Arete is the expert storytelling and training agency for NGOs, UN bodies and foundations — we will keep telling their stories to support organisations determined to make a difference in their lives, even though it will become more challenging.

With government aid disappearing, people must be motivated to donate directly. The rhetoric around USAID cuts suggests that money is being wasted. For funding to continue, the narrative needs to change — people need to trust that their contributions will make a real difference. Arete favours a solutions-focused approach to storytelling — telling stories of people who gain resilience, develop skills, build businesses, and shape their futures — encouraging action. Telling a story of empowerment, not pity, drives continuing support.

These stories show what’s possible when people are given the tools to change their own lives:

Opportunity International UK: Refugee to Entrepreneur

Opportunity International UK’s mission is to provide innovative financial solutions, training, and support to equip and empower impoverished people to build sustainable, resilient livelihoods that can transform their family’s future. Their vision is a world in which all people have the opportunity to achieve a life free from poverty, with dignity and purpose.

Arete has collaborated with Opportunity International UK in many countries, capturing stories of individuals who have transformed their lives and established sustainable livelihoods. We recently helped to tell the story of Celine Harry and her community in Malawi, in a video that was featured on ITV Channel TV.

In Uganda, we told the stories of refugees determined to make their lives better by running businesses:

Therese poses for a photograph in the reception centre where she lives with her 7 children, Nakivale Refugee Camp, Isingoro District, Uganda. Living in the reception centre in a small shelter made of plastic, she is lucky if they get porridge once a day, or sometimes maise. All she wants is to set up a business selling beans like she used to have in the Congo. “I don’t want aid — I just want a business to feed my children and send them to school.”
Photo: Opportunity International UK / Arete

Therese poses for a photograph with her children in the reception centre where she is living in Nakivale Refugee Camp, Isingoro District, Uganda.
Photo: Opportunity International UK / Arete

Gentil, a 34-year-old artist from Burundi, poses for a photograph with one of his paintings at his home in Nakivale Refugee Camp, Isingoro District, Uganda. He used to run workshops for young artists and was accused by the government of training rebel soldiers, so he had to flee. He now lives with his grandmother, nephews, and nieces, who he supports in Nakivale.
He received financial training with Opportunity International and a small loan to start a business farming chickens. He is now able to start painting again and hopes to make a living as an artist like he did in Burundi soon. He also hopes to motivate other refugees to set up businesses to become self-sufficient and not depend on food handouts.
Photo: Opportunity International UK / Arete

Gentil, a 34-year-old artist from Burundi, feeds his chickens at his home in Nakivale Refugee Camp, Isingoro District, Uganda.
Photo: Opportunity International UK / Arete

Bitalie poses for a photograph in her workshop in Nakivale Refugee Camp, Isingoro District, Uganda. A tailor by profession, she fled from the Congo after rebel soldiers and her neighbours attacked her village and were all killed. She fled with her four children, husband and brother’s family into the bush. She lost them all while running through the night. Eventually, she found her way to Nakivale.
She was alone and wanted to know what had happened to her family, so she sold what little food aid she had given to buy a bus fare to return to Congo. She spent months looking for them with no luck. But while she was there, a local Church gave her an old sewing machine, and she returned with it on the bus. Being given a sewing machine was her opportunity. She received financial training from Opportunity International and got a small loan to help her set up a business. Now, she sews and repairs clothes in the camp and has a regular income. Her ultimate dream is to find her family.
Photo: Opportunity International UK / Arete

Bitalie uses her sewing machine in her workshop in Nakivale Refugee Camp, Isingoro District, Uganda. Photo: Opportunity International UK / Arete

Cherie Blair Foundation for Women: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women is dedicated to empowering women in low and middle-income countries to start, sustain, and grow successful businesses, thereby fostering fair and inclusive business environments. Since its inception in 2008, the Foundation has supported over 250,000 women across more than 100 countries, providing them with the skills, technology, networks, and access to the capital necessary to thrive as entrepreneurs.

Arete has told stories that make a difference alongside the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women across five countries and three continents.

Success stories like those of Nkeletseng Tsetsane and Glory Mutai, participants in the Mentoring Women in Business programme, highlight how the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women empowers female entrepreneurs to not only sustain themselves but also uplift others — helping to create self-sustaining business communities.

The HerVenture app equips women like Hannah Salimu, Mampho Sotshongaye, and Lindiwe Masango with practical business knowledge, ongoing support, and access to a network of peers. Women gain skills, confidence and self-belief to start and grow businesses, support their entrepreneurial journeys and digitise their enterprises. Users can find, connect, and learn about local business events.

The Road to Growth programme addresses gendered barriers like stereotypes, discriminatory laws and practices, and inequalities in education and care work that mean many women — especially in low and middle-income countries — are held back from building the skills, knowledge, networks and confidence needed to achieve business growth. Unlocking the potential of entrepreneurs like Alana Bunbury-Walton, Carlotta John and Nakaida Belle-Lindie paves the way for future generations — helping them support their families while inspiring others in the community

Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity

The Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity is a seven-year, US$ 126 million Fund that aims to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the agriculture, climate impact, digital economy, and health sectors in 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Fund’s main objective is to unlock enterprise growth to catalyse, scale up and sustain the creation of dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young women and men with limited financial means, including young people with disabilities and refugee youth.

Arete was asked to help tell the story of their regional Agribusiness Challenge Fund Events across the African continent in these three videos:

Southern Africa Agribusiness Challenge Fund Event

West Africa Agribusiness Challenge Fund Event

East Africa Agribusiness Challenge Fund Event

Telling the stories of these events through digestible, engaging highlights from panel discussions amplifies central voices, showcasing the possibilities to a broader audience and demonstrating the potential for SMEs, policymakers, and young entrepreneurs to shape the future of agribusiness across the continent.

For over 20 years, Arete has told stories that make a difference while navigating shifts in the humanitarian landscape — adapting to new challenges while giving people a voice to tell their own stories whenever possible. With a global network of local consultants, Arete operates through a cost-efficient, flexible model, ensuring that stories continue to be told, even as funding and priorities shift.

But shifts are also felt by our storytellers themselves:

“I may have to return to camel farming. It’s what my family did before me. The future is uncertain, not just for my profession, but for our whole country.”

Somali Photographer

While the outlook is uncertain, charities and NGOs will adapt. Storytelling, too, must adapt — ensuring that the people behind the numbers are not forgotten and their resilience continues to inspire action.

We believe that positive, solutions-driven storytelling is how we move forward. By amplifying inspiring voices and showcasing possibilities, we don’t just report — we help shape a future where aid means empowerment, not dependency.

Our award-winning journalists, photographers and content providers are eager to help you make a difference.

Contact us to find out how we can tailor our expertise to meet your needs.