The future of USAID, the U.S. government’s main aid agency, is uncertain as President Donald Trump plans to merge it with the State Department and cut its funding and staff. According to the BBC, this move comes after days of tension between the White House and USAID.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused USAID’s leadership of “insubordination” and has taken over as its acting head. Trump and his adviser, billionaire Elon Musk, have criticized the agency, calling it wasteful and not in line with U.S. interests.

USAID, or the United States Agency for International Development, was created in the 1960s to provide humanitarian aid worldwide. It employs around 10,000 people, with two-thirds working overseas in more than 60 countries.

The agency funds programs like famine relief, polio vaccinations, clean water projects, and disaster response. For example, USAID supports BBC Media Action, the BBC’s international charity, which received $3.23 million in funding in 2024. The U.S. spends about $40 billion annually on USAID, making it the world’s largest aid donor.

Trump and Musk argue that USAID’s spending doesn’t benefit American taxpayers. Trump has called USAID officials “radical lunatics” and paused all international aid for 90 days after taking office to review its programs. This freeze caused chaos, halting critical projects like providing medicine and clean water in poor countries.

Musk, who is leading Trump’s efforts to cut government spending, said he discussed shutting down USAID with Trump, who agreed. USAID’s website went offline, and employees were told to stay home on Monday, signaling more changes ahead.

However, shutting down USAID completely isn’t simple. The BBC explains that USAID was created by Congress, so Trump can’t abolish it without lawmakers’ approval.

Instead, the White House is considering merging USAID into the State Department, similar to what the UK did in 2020. Critics warn this could reduce expertise in aid work and harm the U.S.’s global influence.

If USAID is downsized or closed, the impact would be felt worldwide. The agency supports programs like helping injured soldiers in Ukraine, clearing landmines, and fighting diseases like Ebola.

Rubio said future aid spending must align with U.S. safety and prosperity, but it’s unclear which programs will meet this standard. With Musk pushing for budget cuts, the international aid community is preparing for more disruptions.

The BBC highlights that while Trump and Musk see USAID as wasteful, its programs save lives and address global crises.

The debate over its future reflects broader questions about the role of U.S. aid and its alignment with Trump’s “America First” policy.

For now, USAID’s fate remains uncertain, but changes could have far-reaching consequences for millions of people who rely on its support.

Credit : BBC

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyezjwnx5ko

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