"I'm alive thanks to USAID," declares Dmytro Sherembey, a long-term HIV survivor in Ukraine. Sherembey credits the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for crucial assistance that has helped identify half of the HIV-positive population in Ukraine and has provided life-saving medications. However, the future of such aid hangs precariously as newly elected President Donald Trump has voiced plans to freeze nearly all foreign assistance while conducting a review, labeling the agency as rife with corruption.
Sherembey, who leads 100% Life, a prominent patient organization, recalls the devastation caused during Russia’s invasion, which saw warehouses of vital HIV medications being destroyed. It was USAID's expedited response that ensured replacement drugs reached those in need, highlighting the agency's importance. As Sherembey notes, "This aid could be stopped by the decision of one person."
Protests have erupted outside USAID's Washington DC headquarters as concerns about funding cuts escalate. Established in 1961, USAID operates globally with a budget nearing $40 billion, significantly shaping humanitarian responses in various developing nations. The agency plays a pivotal role in battling hunger, managing famine detection systems, and supporting healthcare initiatives across nations like Afghanistan where local health services increasingly rely on USAID funding.
As Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk criticize the agency—Musk calling it a "criminal organisation"—the implications of funding cuts are severe for millions who benefit from USAID-provided services. In Afghanistan, for instance, health workers have been sidelined, with a cessation of vital support that could lead to increased maternal mortality if pregnant women can’t access healthcare services.
The ramifications extend to those fighting for freedom in oppressive regimes as well. An Iranian activist relying on USAID resources for anti-censorship efforts warns that funding cuts threaten crucial networks designed to protect dissidents' communications and publicize human rights violations.
The apprehension felt by students such as Mohamed Ashraf, also impacted by the looming budget cuts, reflects a broader concern over the stability and future of USAID's educational programs. Fearing for their academic futures, students are left uncertain about the educational opportunities they may lose.
While Trump critiques overseas aid as a waste of taxpayer money, the proposed shutdown of USAID remains speculative. Any closure would likely necessitate congressional approval, though reports suggest an intention to merge the agency with the State Department, which could lead to widespread layoffs, increasing anxiety for USAID's global workforce.
For residents like Sherembey, the stakes are higher than just funding debates. Without continued access to necessary medications, individuals living with HIV face a grim reality devoid of alternatives. He warns, "It is barbaric that we have returned to the Stone Age," underscoring the potential human cost if USAID's vital services are curtailed.
