USAID Dismantled: US Foreign Aid Cuts Spark Global Concerns Over Humanitarian Impact and Abandoned Commitments

The dismantling of USAID, the primary US channel for humanitarian aid, is expected to significantly impact developing nations. Announced on February 13, 2025, the move follows the Trump administration's decision to eliminate the agency, resulting in over 10,000 staff layoffs. This action jeopardizes the $58.8 billion in US foreign aid initially requested for 2025, including commitments made at the U.S.-Africa Leader's Summit and pledges to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Critics, as reported by the New York Times on February 11, warn of a potential humanitarian catastrophe and damage to America's global standing. The cuts affect numerous programs, including malaria treatment in Mozambique, cholera treatment in Bangladesh, and nutritional support in Ethiopia. The White House justified the decision by citing alleged waste and abuse within USAID, while others decry the move as detrimental to vulnerable populations worldwide.