How Myanmar’s Civic Space Is Shrinking After USAID Cuts

U.S. President Donald Trump’s stop-work order on Jan. 20 has had devastating consequences for development agencies, media outlets, and key stakeholders that have been speaking out for people in dire conditions across the globe.

Although human rights defenders consistently stand at the forefront of crises—amplifying voices, addressing critical issues, and seeking justice—their presence is often overlooked or treated as a secondary priority. This may be because their work focuses on advocacy and systemic change, which takes time and does not always yield immediate tangible results.