The Trump administration is poised to drastically reshape U.S. foreign aid, particularly in health initiatives, as revealed in a 281-page spreadsheet recently provided to Congress. The data indicates plans to terminate financial support for Gavi, a crucial organization responsible for purchasing vaccines for children in developing nations, which has been instrumental in saving millions of lives over the last 25 years. Additionally, significant cuts are proposed for malaria programs, which tackle one of the world's leading health threats.
However, the administration has opted to sustain critical grants aimed at treating H.I.V. and tuberculosis, as well as food assistance targeted towards countries embroiled in civil conflict and facing natural disasters. These details emerged from a comprehensive document the United States Agency for International Development made public, which outlines what programs will continue and which will be cut.
The report showcases a stark retrenchment from decades of U.S. efforts to project itself as a compassionate ally to the developing world, particularly in the ongoing fight against infectious diseases. According to a cover letter accompanying the spreadsheet, U.S.A.I.D. could see its budget slashed dramatically. Out of over 6,000 staff, only 869 members remain, indicating a major contraction in operational capacity.
Overall, the Trump administration intends to uphold 898 U.S.A.I.D. awards while discontinuing a staggering 5,341 projects. Although the remaining programs could value up to $78 billion, only $8.3 billion constitutes unobligated funds that can be disbursed in the coming years. This financial reallocation hints at a significant drop from the previous annual spending of approximately $40 billion by U.S.A.I.D., raising concerns about the future of health initiatives aimed at the world’s most vulnerable populations.
However, the administration has opted to sustain critical grants aimed at treating H.I.V. and tuberculosis, as well as food assistance targeted towards countries embroiled in civil conflict and facing natural disasters. These details emerged from a comprehensive document the United States Agency for International Development made public, which outlines what programs will continue and which will be cut.
The report showcases a stark retrenchment from decades of U.S. efforts to project itself as a compassionate ally to the developing world, particularly in the ongoing fight against infectious diseases. According to a cover letter accompanying the spreadsheet, U.S.A.I.D. could see its budget slashed dramatically. Out of over 6,000 staff, only 869 members remain, indicating a major contraction in operational capacity.
Overall, the Trump administration intends to uphold 898 U.S.A.I.D. awards while discontinuing a staggering 5,341 projects. Although the remaining programs could value up to $78 billion, only $8.3 billion constitutes unobligated funds that can be disbursed in the coming years. This financial reallocation hints at a significant drop from the previous annual spending of approximately $40 billion by U.S.A.I.D., raising concerns about the future of health initiatives aimed at the world’s most vulnerable populations.
