USAID Dismantled: Global Aid in Crisis | JQJO

The US Agency for International Development (USAID), established in 1961, has been officially dissolved after the Trump administration systematically dismantled it. Thousands of contracts were canceled and employees were fired or put on leave. The State Department will absorb the remaining functions, but former USAID officials express deep concerns about the State Department's capacity to handle the complex global aid programs and the potential for increased famine and instability. They worry about the loss of institutional knowledge and expertise, impacting crucial initiatives like famine early warning systems and disease prevention. While some believe a new aid agency may eventually be created, the current dismantling is seen as a major setback for global humanitarian efforts.