US President Donald Trump’s decision to lay off most of the Agency for International Development’s workforce – a government aid agency – would have heavy consequences on health, water and sanitation in countries where missions are carried out, said Rosa Freedman, professor of law, conflict and global development at the University of Reading. “We will see a rise in preventable diseases ... a rise in HIV and AIDS cases in the coming years as a direct result”, Freedman said, adding that the attempted disbandment of the agency would also affect children protection and education, especially girls who are likely to be “forced out of education”.