Uncertain Future for USAID: Vital Lifeline at Risk for Millions**

With claims that his life was saved by US foreign assistance, Dmytro Sherembey highlights the critical role of USAID in providing HIV medication in Ukraine. However, ongoing political tensions and proposed funding cuts threaten the future of vital health and support services globally.**

"I'm alive thanks to USAid," asserts Dmytro Sherembey, a long-time HIV patient in Ukraine who credits the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for not only maintaining his health but also for playing a pivotal role in controlling the spread of HIV in the region. Sherembey, who leads 100% Life, Ukraine's largest organization supporting individuals with HIV, states that "every second HIV-positive person in Ukraine was identified thanks to this programme." However, the future of such life-saving assistance is now jeopardized due to shifting political climates in Washington.

President Donald Trump's recent executive actions have cast a dark cloud over USAID's operations. By pausing most foreign aid, Trump targets the agency, calling it a vessel of "radical left lunatics" and alleging rampant fraud, despite lacking substantial evidence. For Sherembey, who has witnessed the dire aftermath of the Russian invasion since 2022 — including the bombing of warehouses holding essential HIV medications — the risks of aid cessation become more profound. He notes that it was precisely USAID assistance that enabled rapid procurement and distribution of life-saving drugs in Ukraine after the attack.

In light of these developments, protests erupted last week outside USAID's headquarters in Washington, signaling widespread concern over the agency's uncertain future. Established in 1961, USAID operates with a budget nearing $40 billion and employs thousands in over 60 countries. Its missions range from providing crucial food aid to spearheading disaster recovery efforts. However, the president's intention to freeze their operations poses significant threats to millions dependent on these services.

The situation bears a striking resemblance in Afghanistan, where USAID is a key donor to healthcare initiatives. Staff members connected to USAID-funded projects recently faced mandatory leave as funding halted, causing alarm among healthcare professionals who fear that urgent maternal and child health projects will collapse. “If this funding hold extends, pregnant women might have no access to facilities and birth complications will spike,” said a local midwife.

Concerns extend beyond healthcare. USAID-supported non-governmental organizations are crucial in safeguarding human rights, especially in countries like Iran. One anonymous activist detailed how the organization's support has been vital for anti-censorship efforts, stating, “Without USAID, our ability to protect activists and dissenters is severely impaired.”

Students in beneficiary countries also face a bleak future, like Mohamed Ashraf in Egypt, who articulated, "I once envisioned a bright future, but now it feels dark.” The political narrative framing USAID and similar agencies as wasteful could jeopardize hopeful prospects for many.

While the Trump administration explores merging USAID with the Department of State, critics emphasize that dismantling such a significant structure is fraught with complexities. In truth, the path forward remains uncertain, with the prospect of long-term harm looming large over individuals like Sherembey. "Without these medications, my life is at stake," he affirms, underscoring the critical implications of political machinations on basic human rights and health services.