Collateral Damage: The Global Fallout of USAID's Dismantling

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the international community, the Trump administration has effectively pressed a hard stop for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), freezing foreign aid and initiating a rapid shutdown of its operations. This decision, spearheaded by Elon Musk and executed with warped speed, has left thousands of employees worldwide in a state of uncertainty and has jeopardized critical humanitarian and development programs across the globe. My teeth are still chattering at the speed at which we arrived here. And my noggin is still puzzled at the slow pace at which we are moving towards sensible gun laws. Are we still wondering about the US value system?

The Human Cost

USAID has been a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy for over six decades, channeling billions of dollars into health, education, and economic development initiatives in more than 120 countries. The abrupt cessation of its activities means that thousands of employees, many of whom have dedicated their careers to improving the lives of others, are now facing unemployment, if not already unemployed. These human beings have families to support, mortgages to pay, and futures that have been thrown into disarray. Where is the care from their Government?

The ripple effects extend beyond the immediate loss of jobs. Communities that relied on USAID-funded programs for essential services such as healthcare and education are now left without this essential support. In countries like Ethiopia and Myanmar, where USAID played a pivotal role in fostering stability and development, the sudden withdrawal threatens to undo years of progress and plunge vulnerable populations into deeper hardship.

Economic Turmoil

The shutdown of USAID is not an isolated event; Even I, the non-economist can tell that it is part of a broader pattern of policy decisions that are contributing to global economic instability. The administration's aggressive trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs and the withdrawal from international agreements, have led to significant fluctuations in global markets. By the way, one dozen eggs are now kissing $10.00.

Currencies in emerging markets will bear the brunt of this volatility, which will of course increase the cost of imports, fuel inflation, and erode the purchasing power of ordinary citizens. Seminary did not teach me this, but a person lives long enough in a cycle of turning $0.32 into $5.00, soon learns these dynamics.  

 

A Domino Effect of Harm

The dismantling of USAID and the administration's broader economic policies are creating a domino effect of harm. I mean, this is inevitable, given the way life works. As countries are faced with the sudden loss of aid and economic support, they are forced to make difficult choices that ultimately ripple out to feed a sea of hurt. Poverty is a rocky road to unhealthy living, which eventually leads to death. With the programs that provide food security, combat disease, and promote education at risk of being dismantled, one can expect a rapid downward tumble.

In addition, the erosion of these programs not only undermines the well-being of vulnerable populations but also threatens global stability. What makes this administration think that this country will remain untouched and undamaged by these decisions? When people lack access to basic necessities, it can lead to social unrest, increased migration, and the proliferation of extremist ideologies. In this interconnected world, the repercussions of these actions will not be confined to distant shores; they will inevitably reverberate back to the United States. It doesn’t look good, people.

A Call to Conscience

It is always the most vulnerable members of any society that get harmed the most. The current trajectory of U.S. policy is one that prioritizes short-term political gains over long-term humanitarian considerations, and this is a path that leads to isolation, instability, and moral compromise.

People of faith and conscience are called to stand against policies that dehumanize and marginalize. We must advocate for the restoration of aid programs; support organizations that fill the gaps left by USAID's withdrawal and hold our leaders accountable for the broader impact of their decisions. Make the calls. Send the emails. Stop skirting around the issue, playing ‘nice’, and stop kissing the orange backside because it will fart in your mouth. What you will taste then, is not a rainbow.

The dismantling of USAID is more than a bureaucratic reshuffle; it is a moral failing with deeply affective human consequences. I raise my outrage alongside all who are calling for a recital of decency in government and society.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." — Proverbs 31:8-9

#USAID #resist #defendusaid #justice #policychangenow #fightfordemocracy #foreignaid #aidnotexploitation