Dismantling the USAID: Has America Lost Its Empathy?
For over six decades, USAID has been a cornerstone of international development and humanitarian aid, deeply embedded in the fabric of global health, food security, education, and disaster relief. Its programs have been instrumental in combating some of the most pervasive threats to human life and well-being. A recent landmark study published in The Lancet revealed the profound impact of USAID's work, crediting its programs with preventing an astonishing 91.8 million deaths in low and middle-income countries between 2001 and 2021, including 30.4 million children under the age of five. This monumental achievement, surpassing the fatalities of World War II, underscores the agency's critical role in safeguarding lives.
The impact of USAID's funding has been particularly pronounced in the health sector. The agency's support led to a 65% reduction in HIV/AIDS deaths, saving an estimated 25.5 million lives. Malaria deaths were cut by 51%, preventing 8 million fatalities, and deaths from neglected tropical diseases saw a 50% reduction, saving 8.9 million lives. Beyond these specific diseases, significant decreases were observed in mortality rates from tuberculosis, nutritional deficiencies, diarrheal diseases, lower respiratory infections, and maternal and perinatal conditions. In 2023 alone, USAID provided essential healthcare to 92 million women and children. Programs like the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has saved approximately 26 million lives, are now facing collapse, with projections indicating that within just three months, nearly 136,000 babies could be born with HIV as pregnant women lose access to critical prevention medication.
The drastic cuts, amounting to an estimated 83% reduction in USAID programs, are projected to have a catastrophic ripple effect. Researchers forecast that if these reductions continue, more than 14 million additional preventable deaths could occur by 2030. This includes over 4.5 million children under the age of five, translating to roughly 700,000 extra child deaths each year. The consequences extend beyond direct health services, impacting crucial sectors such as nutrition, education, water and sanitation, and humanitarian relief. In countries like Sudan, U.S.-supported soup kitchens have already been forced to close, leading to reports of starvation, while critical medical supplies have ceased to arrive. In Uganda, thousands are left without life-saving antiretroviral drugs due to the sudden cessation of funding.
The withdrawal of USAID's support also creates a massive void in global humanitarian funding, as the United States previously contributed over 40% of such aid. This could trigger a domino effect, potentially leading other international donors to reduce their commitments, further weakening service delivery in nations already heavily reliant on external assistance. The cuts are not merely financial; they represent a severe erosion of institutional knowledge and capacity, jeopardizing decades of effort in building local expertise and strengthening health systems.
While some argue that USAID has had "little to show" for its efforts, the stark projections from leading health policy researchers paint a grim picture. The human cost of this policy choice is immense, comparable in scale to a global pandemic or a major armed conflict, yet entirely avoidable. The average American taxpayer contributed about 18 cents per day to USAID, a small investment that translated into saving millions of lives and fostering stability. The elimination of USAID is a profound step back, risking the reversal of two decades of progress and leaving millions to face preventable suffering and death. The silent catastrophe is already unfolding, and its full, heartbreaking impact is yet to be realized.
