It has been a challenging five weeks as those of us working in organizations receiving funding from the United States Government (USG) have struggled to gain clarity about the future of our sector and whether we will have jobs in the coming weeks. Hundreds of headlines daily announce layoffs, furloughs, and organizations on the verge of bankruptcy. LinkedIn is a who’s who of those who have lost their jobs or been furloughed by international organizations receiving funding from the USG. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) recently announced a significant staff layoff due to ongoing financial challenges, explicitly citing its struggle to secure the necessary funding to cover its operational budget. Approximately 50 percent of CRS’s budget is derived from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and fluctuations caused by the stop-work order have strained the organization’s ability to maintain its workforce.

My organization faces the same funding fluctuations as CRS, and we have had our furloughs as we tried to weather this unexpected storm. This stop-work order has slowed our democracy/governance programs, and other critical services organizations are doing, such as food distribution, healthcare, and refugee support. Many of these organizations face the challenge of being unable to draw down budget obligations from the USG for expenses in December and January. In addition, we can’t get additional funds to cover basic costs such as staff salaries, and office leases. My organization has also disabled its website and now has a disclaimer: “Due to the U.S. Government freeze on foreign assistance disbursements, we have temporarily disabled our website to mitigate expenses. We hope to have our website up again in the future.”

I’m currently managing a team of 15 individuals across three offices in Southern Africa. I’ve tried to be present, honest, and composed for them as we navigate the uncertainties in the international development sector. However, it hasn’t been easy. There are days when I feel overwhelmed and anxious about our next steps and how to maintain consistency for my wife and two children. It’s a challenging journey…I can’t help but feel a deep sense of empathy knowing that there are tens of thousands of others who are going through the same challenges I am facing.

So, what is next…I have “safely” arrived at the fifth stage of depression, ACCEPTANCE. I have accepted that my time on the Indian Ocean is ending. Working with my organization over the past decade has been an incredible journey. When I first arrived in South Sudan in 2013, I was a different person—filled with optimism but uncertain about what lay ahead. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with diverse cultures, forging countless relationships, and facing challenges that have shaped my character. The experiences I’ve gained, from collaborating on governance projects to overcoming logistical hurdles in remote areas, have deepened my understanding of the complexities of this vast and diverse continent and transformed me into a more resilient and empathetic individual.

Several individuals have asked how they can assist us during this challenging time. While there may not be immediate actions to take, we kindly ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Specifically, we hope for:

1. Resilience in our hearts as we navigate this tricky situation (We don’t want to carry anger and frustration with us about this situation).
2. The ability to find joy in the paths we choose, regardless of the outcomes.
3. A supportive community like the love and kindness we have experienced in Tanzania.
4. For my staff, who will also be seeking new employment opportunities in a difficult job market.
5. That the USG releases the money owed to organizations so that they can pay necessary expenses.