Additional Context: This information comes from a report produced by Inclusive Development Partners, or IDP, a research and technical assistance organization. Using a mixed-methods design under IRB approval from the University of Massachusetts Boston, the study triangulated a global survey of staff from 82 projects across 80 implementing organizations with key informant interviews and focus group discussions across eight countries where IDP had existing programs: Bangladesh, El Salvador, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, and Pakistan. Data collection took place between January and March 2026.

According to IDP, one individual working on health issues witnessed firsthand how children were struggling and dying after services were stopped, estimating that children with disabilities are three times more likely to experience malnutrition and death without access to support. Government respondents independently confirmed this crisis, citing worsening symptoms of epilepsy due to drugs being out of stock after USAID stopped procuring them, inconsistent treatment of HIV/AIDS due to distribution failures, and citizens avoiding healthcare facilities because the specialized care they require is no longer available

Source: Inclusive Development Partners