President Trump has announced the cancellation of 83% of USAID funding, affecting countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh which previously received substantial financial aid. This decision aims to focus U.S. funding on programs that directly benefit America, with significant financial implications for affected nations.
In a significant announcement, United States President Donald Trump has affirmed that no funding will be provided under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared via social media that after a thorough six-week review, the administration has decided to cancel 83% of USAID programs. This decision is expected to adversely affect countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, which had relied on substantial yearly financial assistance from the agency.
The cancellation encompasses 5,200 contracts globally, with an expenditure amounting to billions of dollars. Rubio indicated that much of this funding was extraneous to America’s core national interests and, in some instances, funded entities working against American interests. Consequently, the administration will maintain only those programs beneficial to the United States, planning to continue around 18% of the programs after discussions with Congress.
The identified reductions signify a reliance on programs that directly benefit American interests, with almost 1,000 initiatives expected to remain operational. Secretary Rubio mentioned the effort of the DOGE team in scrutinizing financial outflows and identifying flaws in the funding process. Historically, under USAID, Bangladesh received $440 million, Pakistan secured $231 million, and Sri Lanka was allotted $123 million. The cessation of these funds is anticipated to result in the suspension of various developmental projects in these nations. Additionally, there are allegations that a considerable portion of this aid was used for activities against India, particularly in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The recent decision by President Trump to cut 83% of USAID funding will significantly impact countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, which have relied on this support for development projects. By only retaining programs that directly benefit the United States, the administration aims to streamline foreign aid and eliminate funding perceived to undermine American interests. This move is likely to halt numerous local initiatives and change the operational landscape in these nations.
Original Source: www.india.com
