Uncertainty Looms Over USAID as Beneficiaries Fear Lifeline Cuts

With the possible suspension of USAID under President Trump, beneficiaries like Dmytro Sherembey express fear for their futures. The agency has been vital in providing healthcare, food security, and essential services across various countries, and its dissolution could lead to severe humanitarian crises globally.

Despite two decades of living with HIV in Ukraine, Dmytro Sherembey firmly states, "I'm alive thanks to USAID." As the head of 100% Life, Ukraine's largest patient-led organization, Sherembey attributes the agency's efforts to his survival and the reduction of the virus's spread. "Every second HIV-positive person in Ukraine was identified thanks to this program," he asserts. However, the future of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is now shrouded in uncertainty following actions by the Trump administration.

One of President Trump's initial decisions upon returning to office involved issuing an executive order to pause nearly all foreign aid for 90 days while a review took place. Trump has long been critical of USAID, labeling it as run by "radical left lunatics" and alleging fraud without providing evidence to support such claims. Sherembey's organization played a vital role during the war when HIV medication supply warehouses were bombed amid Russia’s offensive in 2022. He emphasizes the importance of USAID during these challenging times, saying, “Our nation's response to the invasion relied heavily on USAID."

Established in 1961, USAID employs around 10,000 individuals and operates globally with a budget nearing $40 billion. Its initiatives range from providing food aid to developing famine detection systems utilizing data analysis. As the agency faces the looming specter of layoffs, protests have erupted outside USAID's Washington, DC offices in response to the proposed funding cuts.

The sudden halt of funding could have dire consequences for millions. In Afghanistan, USAID is a crucial donor to the health sector, supporting maternal and child health projects. Doctors in the region have already reported that the funding freeze has forced many staff members, including medical professionals, to remain at home, jeopardizing critical health services.

For those directly benefiting from USAID's assistance, uncertainty prevails. Mohamed Ashraf, a scholarship recipient in Egypt whose educational future hangs in the balance, expressed despair: “I feel like I don't know my fate… my future looks dark.”

Opponents of USAID, including Elon Musk, have labeled it a "criminal organization” without substantiating their claims. Trump has openly criticized overseas spending, insisting it fails to deliver value for American taxpayers. Despite his assertions, whether the agency will be entirely dismantled remains unclear, as such a move would likely necessitate Congress's approval.

Trump's administration has indicated a potential merger between USAID and the Department of State, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio set to take over as the agency’s acting head. As thousands of USAID employees face impending leave, beneficiaries like Sherembey emphasize the dire stakes involved. "If my hospital runs out of this medication, I will have to search for it elsewhere," he laments, highlighting the lack of alternatives for HIV-positive individuals in Ukraine. "It is barbaric that we have returned to the Stone Age."