As USAID faces possible budget cuts under renewed political scrutiny from high-profile figures, individuals reliant on its support in various countries express grave concerns over the future of essential health services and humanitarian aid.
Uncertainty Looms Over USAID's Future, Leaving Lives in Balance
Uncertainty Looms Over USAID's Future, Leaving Lives in Balance
The potential cuts to USAID funding threaten critical health services and humanitarian aid across multiple nations.
"I'm alive because of USAID," Dmytro Sherembey proclaims, underscoring the pivotal role the United States Agency for International Development has played in his life as a long-term HIV survivor in Ukraine. For Sherembey, USAID has been instrumental in halting the spread of HIV in his country, claiming that "every second HIV-positive person in Ukraine was identified thanks to this program." Yet, uncertainty clouds the agency's future as political discourse shifts in the United States.
Recent executive orders signed by President Donald Trump, including a directive to pause almost all foreign assistance for a 90-day review, have raised serious concerns about the continuation of USAID's efforts. Trump has characterized the agency as fraught with "tremendous fraud," labeling its leaders as "radical left lunatics." In response, protests have erupted outside USAID's headquarters in Washington D.C., reflecting public anxiety over the agency's future.
Established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, USAID operates with a budget nearing $40 billion, managing a vast array of projects that provide food, health services, and critical aid across over 60 countries worldwide. Sherembey recalls the agency's rapid response in securing HIV medication after Russian bombardments damaged supply warehouses at the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
As discussions about cutting USAID grow louder, critics like Elon Musk have labeled the organization a "criminal organization," seeking its closure outright. Such drastic moves would unravel vital support across numerous countries, notably Afghanistan, where the agency plays a crucial role in maternal and child health care. A local doctor describes the distressing conditions, stating that funding halts mean over 60 medical professionals have been grounded at home, jeopardizing countless lives.
In addition to providing health services, USAID supports non-governmental organizations that work on various humanitarian fronts—including cybersecurity for activists in Iran. With impending funding cuts, threats to these life-saving initiatives are becoming imminent.
Furthermore, students, like Egyptian undergraduate Mohamed Ashraf, now face an uncertain future, expressing dread over the potential loss of scholarships due to aid cuts. They worry that the enduring support they have come to rely upon could vanish overnight as political decisions unfold.
While the closure of USAID is legally complex and may require Congressional action, the impact of proposed funding cuts continues to loom heavily for those who rely on its assistance. For Sherembey and countless others, the stakes are impossibly high as they grapple with dwindling options in the face of political upheaval. "It is barbaric that we have returned to the Stone Age," he asserts, echoing the fears of countless citizens caught in the crossfire of international politics.
