As the future of USAID remains uncertain under political scrutiny, individuals in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and beyond worry about the severe implications of funding reductions on health services vital for HIV patients and mothers and children in need.
The Uncertain Future of USAID: Lives at Risk Amid Funding Freeze
The Uncertain Future of USAID: Lives at Risk Amid Funding Freeze
Aid recipients express concern as USAID funding hangs in the balance, threatening critical health and humanitarian projects globally.
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The livelihood of many aid recipients hangs in the balance as concerns rise over the potential halt of funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Dmytro Sherembey, a long-term HIV survivor in Ukraine, attributes his survival to the agency's life-saving support: "I'm alive thanks to USAID." With over two decades of living with HIV, he credits the agency's program with identifying nearly every second HIV-positive individual in Ukraine, a feat he fears may be compromised due to recent political developments.
Following President Donald Trump's return to office, USAID's future has come under scrutiny. Trump’s executive order pausing nearly all foreign assistance for 90 days raises alarms for many, including Sherembey, particularly after he criticized USAID as being controlled by "radical left lunatics" and plagued by "tremendous fraud," all without substantiated claims.
The impact of the political climate is already being felt in regions such as Ukraine, where the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022 led to bombings of warehouses containing crucial HIV medications. Sherembey recalls how USAID played an instrumental role in quickly sourcing and distributing replacement medications. "This aid could be stopped by the decision of one person," he warns, reflecting on the precariousness of aid reliance.
Recent protests against USAID in Washington highlight public dissatisfaction as tension grows. Established in 1961, USAID operates in over 60 countries, employing around 10,000 people and managing a budget close to $40 billion. The agency's diverse projects range from famine detection to healthcare provisions in crisis-stricken areas.
The anticipated ramifications of Trump's funding freeze are severe. A doctor overseeing USAID-funded healthcare initiatives in Afghanistan reports currently over 60 personnel, including healthcare professionals, have been told to remain at home due to funding disruptions. Midwives warn that continued funding halts could force mothers to give birth at home, potentially increasing maternal mortality rates significantly.
USAID’s scope extends beyond humanitarian aid, supporting organizations focused on cybersecurity and enabling activists to act quickly when opposition figures are arrested in Iran. An unnamed Iranian activist discusses how their organization's reliance on USAID funding to secure communications for at-risk individuals may drastically change if the funding ceases altogether.
With students like Mohamed Ashraf, who received a scholarship from USAID in Egypt, facing an uncertain educational future, the concern is widespread. Ashraf expresses anxiety over his prospects, stating, "I feel like I don't know my fate," highlighting the pervasive fear that looms among beneficiaries.
Trump's discontent with overseas spending and criticisms by influential figures, including Elon Musk, further complicate the agency’s situation. While proposals to merge USAID with the Department of State are underway, the permanent closure of the agency faces significant legislative hurdles requiring bipartisan support.
In Ukraine, Sherembey articulates the dire reality for HIV-positive individuals if funding ceases. “I will have to search for medication elsewhere… HIV-positive people here have no alternatives," he states emphatically, likening the situation to a return to the Stone Age. With lives at stake, the future of USAID and its humanitarian missions remains precariously uncertain.
The livelihood of many aid recipients hangs in the balance as concerns rise over the potential halt of funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Dmytro Sherembey, a long-term HIV survivor in Ukraine, attributes his survival to the agency's life-saving support: "I'm alive thanks to USAID." With over two decades of living with HIV, he credits the agency's program with identifying nearly every second HIV-positive individual in Ukraine, a feat he fears may be compromised due to recent political developments.
Following President Donald Trump's return to office, USAID's future has come under scrutiny. Trump’s executive order pausing nearly all foreign assistance for 90 days raises alarms for many, including Sherembey, particularly after he criticized USAID as being controlled by "radical left lunatics" and plagued by "tremendous fraud," all without substantiated claims.
The impact of the political climate is already being felt in regions such as Ukraine, where the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022 led to bombings of warehouses containing crucial HIV medications. Sherembey recalls how USAID played an instrumental role in quickly sourcing and distributing replacement medications. "This aid could be stopped by the decision of one person," he warns, reflecting on the precariousness of aid reliance.
Recent protests against USAID in Washington highlight public dissatisfaction as tension grows. Established in 1961, USAID operates in over 60 countries, employing around 10,000 people and managing a budget close to $40 billion. The agency's diverse projects range from famine detection to healthcare provisions in crisis-stricken areas.
The anticipated ramifications of Trump's funding freeze are severe. A doctor overseeing USAID-funded healthcare initiatives in Afghanistan reports currently over 60 personnel, including healthcare professionals, have been told to remain at home due to funding disruptions. Midwives warn that continued funding halts could force mothers to give birth at home, potentially increasing maternal mortality rates significantly.
USAID’s scope extends beyond humanitarian aid, supporting organizations focused on cybersecurity and enabling activists to act quickly when opposition figures are arrested in Iran. An unnamed Iranian activist discusses how their organization's reliance on USAID funding to secure communications for at-risk individuals may drastically change if the funding ceases altogether.
With students like Mohamed Ashraf, who received a scholarship from USAID in Egypt, facing an uncertain educational future, the concern is widespread. Ashraf expresses anxiety over his prospects, stating, "I feel like I don't know my fate," highlighting the pervasive fear that looms among beneficiaries.
Trump's discontent with overseas spending and criticisms by influential figures, including Elon Musk, further complicate the agency’s situation. While proposals to merge USAID with the Department of State are underway, the permanent closure of the agency faces significant legislative hurdles requiring bipartisan support.
In Ukraine, Sherembey articulates the dire reality for HIV-positive individuals if funding ceases. “I will have to search for medication elsewhere… HIV-positive people here have no alternatives," he states emphatically, likening the situation to a return to the Stone Age. With lives at stake, the future of USAID and its humanitarian missions remains precariously uncertain.
