The Cost of Dismantling USAID

Politico published on 11 March 2025 an article titled "How Americans May Feel the Slashing of USAID" by Nahal Toosi and Krystal Campos. 

Former recipients of USAID-funded projects are already dying because the US has frozen the funding.  Much of the foreign assistance money is actually spent in the United States, especially on the purchase of farm products, and that money is frozen.  US health care companies are seeing their contracts cancelled.  Unemployment extends far beyond USAID staff to include contractors and non-government organization personnel who implement USAID programs.  

Axios published on 11 March 2025 an article titled "USAID Cuts Lead to More Furloughs in the Triangle" by Zachery Eanes.

This article is an example of the impact of USAID's dismantlement on furloughs at two companies in North Carolina's research triangle.  The damage extends well beyond Washington, D.C.  

Dismantling USAID Is Anarchy Masquerading as Efficiency

 Time published on 14 February 2025 a commentary titled "Trump's Dismantling of USAID Is Anarchy Masquerading as Efficiency" by Brian Schatz, US Senator for Hawaii and the lead Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.

The abrupt and total shutdown of USAID reveals a simple truth: The Department of Government Efficiency is not actually about achieving efficiency.  Rather, it's about Trump trying to wish away whichever parts of the government he doesn't like.  

Investigative Report on Theft of US Emergency Aid to Ethiopia

 Reuters published on 18 October 2024 an investigative report titled "UN Food Agency Failed to Act as U.S. Aid Was Looted in Ethiopia" by Giulia Paravicini, Steve Stecklow, and Tiksa Negeri.  

Thousands of tons of food aid provided by USAID to the World Food Program (WFP) were diverted from hungry Ethiopian civilians in Tigray Region in 2023 to the Ethiopian military, Eritrean soldiers, and Tigrayan forces.  The authors allege that WFP staff chose to ignore the illegal diversions.  As a result, USAID temporarily shut down the assistance program.

Sudanese Refugees and IDPs: War or Starvation?

 Aljazeera published on 18 June 2024 an article titled "Starving to Death Is as Scary as the War for Sudanese Refugees" by Mat Nashed.

Three quarters of a million Sudanese refugees are facing "catastrophic levels of hunger" and more than 25 million, including many internally displaced, are facing acute food shortages.  The other option is to remain in a war zone.  These people have a Hobson's choice.  

Sudan: Warring Factions Target Civil Society

 Aljazeera published on 1 April 2024 an article titled "Are Sudan's Civil Society Activists Being Targeted by Both Warring Sides?" by Mat Nashed.

There are recent reports that both the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) are targeting and sometimes arresting civil society activists who operate soup kitchens for the poor and provide other help in their "emergency response rooms."  The goal of the RSF and the SAF apparently is to maintain control over all elements of civil society.

Has Sudan Reached the Famine Stage?

 Aljazeera published on 29 March 2024 an article titled "Sudan Slips into Famine as Warring Sides Starve Civilians" by Virginia Pietromarchi.

One year since war broke out in Sudan, the article says that interrupted online remittances, soaring food prices, a reduction in local cereal production, and warring factions preventing the delivery of food aid have put Sudan in the middle of a "humanitarian disaster."  The article quotes experts who predict famine will occur in areas such as Darfur by June of this year.

The United Nations published on 20 March 2024 a press release titled "Conflict Between Warring Parties in Sudan Pushing Millions to Brink of Famine, Top UN Officials Tell Security Council, Warning Entire Generation Could Be Destroyed."

Comment:  Neither the Aljazeera article nor the UN officials argue that famine currently exists in Sudan, although both believe it is likely in the next two to three months.  According to the UN, famine is a technical term that exists when three conditions come together in a specific geographic area such as a region or country.  The conditions are: 

--At least 20 percent of the population in that particular area are facing extreme levels of hunger,

--30 percent of the children in the same place are wasted, or too thin for their height, and

--The death rate has doubled from the average, surpassing two deaths per 10,000 daily for adults and four deaths per 10,000 daily for children.

Ethiopia in Troubled Waters

 The Council on Foreign Relations blog posted on 28 December 2023 a commentary titled "Ethiopia in Troubled Waters" by Michelle Gavin.  

The author argues that Ethiopia ended 2023 on a sour note underscored by diminishing trust in the Ethiopian government as the year progressed.  

Food Shortages Increasingly Threaten Sudan

 Aljazeera published on 21 December 2023 an article titled "WFP Temporarily Halts Food Aid in Parts of Sudan as Fighting Spreads."

As fighting spreads into the grain producing part of Sudan, there are growing fears that food shortages will become an ever more serious threat. 

USAID to Resume Delivery of Food Aid to Ethiopia

 The Associated Press published on 15 November 2023 an article titled "U.S. Will Resume Food Aid to Millions in Ethiopia after Monthslong Pause over Massive Corruption."

After implementing wide-ranging reforms in the procedures for distributing food aid in Ethiopia, USAID has agreed to resume the program.  One-sixth of Ethiopians were receiving food aid before the discovery of massive theft early this year.  

Detailed UN Report on Humanitarian Assistance Reaching Sudan

 The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) published on 7 September 2023 a detailed account titled "Sudan Situation Report."

The report documents the humanitarian requirements for Sudan as a result of the ongoing conflict between the Sudan Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and steps taken by the international community to meet those needs.  For the first time since the conflict began in mid-April, humanitarian convoys reached North Darfur and South Darfur.

UNOCHA noted that it has received in 2023 $676 million in funding for Sudan.  The United States has provided $380 million of the amount or well over half.  

Some Food Aid Resumes in Ethiopia

 The Associated Press published on 8 August 2023 an article titled "The World Food Program Slowly Resumes Food Aid to Ethiopia after Months of Suspension and Criticism" by Cara Anna.

Following widespread theft of food aid by the government, the WFP has resumed the delivery of wheat to Tigray Region.  USAID continues to suspend deliveries throughout Ethiopia until it can assure the food is going to people in need.

Ethiopia Declares State of Emergency in Amhara Region

 Reuters published on 4 August 2023 an article titled "Ethiopia Declares Six-month State of Emergency in Amhara after Clashes" by Dawit Endeshaw.  

Ethiopia's government declared a six-month state of emergency in Amhara Region following days of clashes between the military and the local Fano militia.  The Ethiopian National Defense Force and the Fano militia were aligned during the war against Tigray Region.  The relationship soured, however, as the federal government tried to weaken regional paramilitary groups such as Fano.  

U.S. Removes Human Rights Sanctions on Ethiopia

 Foreign Policy published on 29 June 2023 an article titled "U.S. Lifts Human Rights Violation Designation on Ethiopia" by Robbie Gramer.

The United States has lifted the legal designation that will allow it to resume U.S. and international economic aid to Ethiopia.  However, the decision follows a suspension of American food aid to Ethiopia because of massive theft from the program.  

Suspension of Food Aid in Ethiopia Contributes to Deaths

 The Associated Press published on 29 June 2023 an article titled "US Says It's Horrified by Conditions in Ethiopia after Theft Leads to Food Aid Pause and Deaths."

USAID said its decision to pause food aid in Ethiopia because of massive theft by Ethiopian government officials was a last resort but acknowledged it has contributed to hundreds of deaths due to hunger.  

Massive Diversion of US Food Aid in Ethiopia Resulting in Hunger

 The Associated Press published on 21 June 2023 an article titled "Once Starved by War Millions of Ethiopians Go Hungary as U.S., U.N. Pause Aid after Massive Theft."

Following the massive diversion of food aid to military units and markets, the US and UN suspended their programs.  This may be the largest ever diversion of US food aid.  Some of the food was looted by forces from neighboring Eritrea.  US and UN officials are trying to limit or end the Ethiopian government's role in the distribution system.

Somalia: Al-Shabaab Claims Delivery of Food Aid to Drought Victims

The Terrorism Monitor published on 7 April 2017 a report titled "Al-Shabaab Plays on Aid Distribution Role to Win Over Desperate Somalis" by Sunguta West.

The report comments that al-Shabaab has released photos of food distribution in rural areas of drought-stricken Somalia. It is unclear where al-Shabaab would obtain significant amounts of food aid. Some observers view the distribution of food aid as propaganda while others believe the tactic is critical to gain support as al-Shabaab has been forced to retreat into rural areas. Al-Shabaab is also better known for conducting suicide attacks in Mogadishu.

Ethiopia: Avoiding Drought Disaster

The Washington Post published on 23 February 2016 a front page article titled "Trying to Hold Off Disaster" by Paul Schemm and Aida Muluneh.

Ethiopia is facing a devastating drought caused by the worst El Nino in a generation.  Aid agencies warn that food aid could run out as soon as May.  Famine can be avoided, however, if the international community steps in with adequate quantities of emergency food aid. 

South Sudan's Economic and Fiscal Crisis

The Enough Project published on 12 February 2016 a paper titled "Addressing South Sudan's Economic and Fiscal Crisis." 

It concludes that the government of South Sudan's spending is skewed in favor of security even in the face of the current urgent humanitarian crisis and growing concerns of potential widespread famine.  Going forward, there is a need for government officials to adjust the national budget and provide the necessary subsidies to ensure that the food crisis does not threaten the entire population.