How USAID – the world's largest aid agency – is being dismantled

The January 20 Donald Trump is sworn in as president, the same day he signs dan executive ordern "Re-evaluation and readjustment of US foreign aid. " The order states: to read that American development cooperation is not in line with, and occasionally contradicts, American interests.

- Bstand stillthe nds industry and bureaucracy […] serves to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in andra countries that counteracts harmonious and stable relationships inom and between countries, explains the order.  

Almost all foreign aid is paused for 90 days. Umeanwhile ska it implementsas a review and reevaluation of USAID's work. Previous year The United States accounted for as much as 40 percent of the material moisture meter shows you the overalla fundingen of humanitariant assistanced, of which 30 billion US dollars paid by USAID. The decision ska therefore gain consequences over almost the whole the world.  

When USAID's support is paused, it puts an end to urgent efforts such as military support in conflicts, healthcare and protection for refugees. But also more long-term projects such as work to prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV, malaria and cholera as well as support for education, conservation of the Amazon rainforest and strengthening press freedom and democracy. 

The dismantling of the world's largest aid agency  

The day after the new order was signed, the material moisture meter shows you the January 21, a message is sent out to all organizations working with USAID that reads "stop working." Stoporder will not only shrilla for projects that stand alone financed av USAID, but also projects with multiple funders.  

In a refugee camp on the border between Thailand and Myanmar, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) runs a hospital. With 100 residents – many injured and sick after fleeing Myanmar - The hospital's abrupt closure will have direct consequences.  

– It was so scary, they forced everyone out of the hospital… and some people died because they lost their oxygen. We were not only sad but also scared of what was coming next, says U Htan Htun for Amnesty International.  

Thai mynskills ska ha tried to transfer patients to nearby hospitals, but var understaffed and unprepared.  

The January 27 60 executives, senior foreign service officials and eight general counsels, including the two ethics lawyers, are placed on administrative leave and forced to leave the Washington office the same day.  

The next day, the January 28, Secretary of State Marco Rubio presents an exception for ”lurgent humanitarian aid". This shall include programs that include life-saving medicines, medical services, food, shelter and supplies. However, several aid organizations report that, despite being considered life-saving programs, they have not been granted exemptions.  

Three people with insight explain to AP NEWS to many of them servicepersons who were involved in grant the exceptions had been laid off the day before.  

Although among the organizations granted exemptionntag coming report about that they want to got payments. At the same time is USAID owed tens of millions American dollars for work that already dones by aid organizations worldwide.  

“We can no longer cover the costs when USAID doesn’t pay its bills. […] No one trusts the American government to reimburse them,” says the head of a Syrian organization that recently laid off more than half of its staff for Devex.

Three days later, the February 1, USAID's website and social media are being shut down.  

In Uganda, USAID is one of the most important donors. Since 2016, large numbers of refugees, mainly from South Sudan, have settled in in the northwestern parts of the country. Society Bidibidi has grown to become the world's second largest refugee settlement. Mand more are 270 residents is it greater than Uppsala.  

- Many refugees earn money by working for aid organizations. Some are employees and others are “volunteers” who receive a small stipend – less than $55 a month – that they depend on to support their families. Thousands have now lost their income and don’t know how to put food on the table., tells Yeshua Aliki for Context News.  

Under first week of February is suing several American unions and organizations US government. De argues att thousands of workers has lost their jobs, that the government caused a humanitarian disaster worldwide and to actother things threatens US national security.  

A federal judge orders the government to pay out the outstanding shouldr and that the government resumes the disbursement of aid funds. Government chooses to ignore outcome, and öappealr to Supreme Courten.  

The February 26, a month after Trump's executive order, USAID's staff strength has gone from thousands to about 300. The Washington Free Beacon has obtained one document where the US administration announces its intention to permanently terminate nearly 10 multi-year contracts. This is equivalent to 000 procent of US aid contracts and includes not only USAID but also the State DepartmentThe list should include programs that were granted exemptions just days before as “life-saving humanitarian assistance.”  

The March 5 the Supreme Court decides, with a narrow majority, to go on the federal court line. Once again ordered the American government to pay out the 2 billion US dollars it owes to aid partners for work already done. Men When The judgment does not state when the payments should be made. 

Sida and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs evaluate the effects and adaptr development cooperation 

Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Affairs Benjamin Dousa visits the Association for Development Affairs On February 5, he is brief on Swedish plans to counter the effects of the USAID stop. He explains that work is underway to analyze the effects, but programs in support of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are highlighted as examples of areas where Sweden may consider making an effort in the near future.

- In a worst-case scenario where U.S. funding is not resumed in the 25 most serious crises, at least 34 million people could be left without life-saving humanitarian assistance, the report said.kriver Page in en memorandum to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated the 2nd8 February and obtained by Global Bar. 

The memorandum shows that Sida has six direct collaborations with USAID where they saidThe fund has paid out 120 million SEK. In addition that the authority supports up to 100 additional projects that USAID is involved and samfinancing.  

At present, it is unclear what will happen with of that money and cooperationn. Sida has contacted the American authorities, but haven't received clarity on the issue. 

The authority notifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that approximately 920 million SEK within current Swedish development aid strategies can be redistributed for to cover up USAID's lapses. They recommend that theyeight in first hand yesterday to programs working within SRHR, water and sanitation, energy and food security.  

The tours around USAID take place in a time then also other important aid actors such as the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands and Belgium presented plans to reduce their aid budgets.  

– All of this sends a signal to the whole world and changes the view on global responsibility for the global goals. There has been a basic view that our part of the world has a moral obligation to contribute and that this is also something we benefit from. Even if other actors such as China or the Arab world can increase their efforts financially, they do not have the same view as we do on gender equality or human rights. Then there will be a completely different agenda that will govern, Annika Otterstedt notes, chief för Sidas resultsavsharing and contact person for USAID-questions, i an interview with Global Bar.