End of USAID Puts Global Health and Food Aid in Jeopardy

WASHINGTON — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a symbol of American aid and diplomacy for over six decades, has officially closed its doors. The shutdown, ordered by the Trump administration, has sent shockwaves through the global humanitarian sector.

According to experts, the decision could cost millions of lives especially across Sub-Saharan Africa, where USAID has been a lifeline.

A recent report in The Lancet paints a grim picture. It estimates that 14 million people could die by 2030 as a result of the withdrawal. Of those, 4.5 million are children under five.

“We are not just talking about statistics. These are mothers, fathers, and children,” said Dr. Emily Njoroge, a Kenyan public health researcher. “This will undo decades of progress.”

From Lifeline to Silence

For years, USAID ran projects tackling HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other neglected tropical diseases. It also supported food security, education, agriculture, and disaster response in over 100 countries. In many parts of Africa and Asia, it helped build hospitals, train doctors, and deliver vaccines.

Kenya, one of the biggest beneficiaries, has already begun to feel the pinch. Clinics that once offered free antiretroviral drugs and mosquito nets are now turning people away. Rural community programmes are folding. Thousands of healthcare workers are out of jobs.

“We have no budget left. We’ve had to shut down entire wards,” said Peter Ochieng, a hospital administrator in Kisumu.

A Political Shift

The decision to dismantle USAID was announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who argued that future US foreign aid must “serve American interests first.” Going forward, aid will be managed directly through the State Department and with stricter conditions.

“The American taxpayer deserves a return on their generosity,” Rubio said during a press briefing. “Unfortunately, many countries have accepted our aid while opposing us at the UN.”

Rubio also pointed to cases of alleged misuse by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as part of the justification.

The Trump administration has expressed frustration with African and Middle Eastern nations that, despite receiving billions in aid, have aligned themselves more closely with China in recent years.

“It’s not just about need. It’s about loyalty,” said a senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A Fragile Future

Since its founding in 1961 under President John F. Kennedy, USAID has been both a diplomatic tool and a moral commitment. According to The Lancet, its work has helped prevent an estimated 91 million deaths.

The agency’s closure raises broader questions about the future of global aid, and whether other nations will step in to fill the gap. China, for instance, has ramped up its own overseas development programmes but critics argue its focus is more on infrastructure and less on humanitarian relief.

At the grassroots level, the consequences are immediate and devastating.

“My daughter is HIV-positive,” said Mary Atieno, a mother of three in western Kenya. “She needs medicine to live. Now we are being told there is none.”

Governments, NGOs, and healthcare providers are scrambling to adjust. But the outlook remains bleak.

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