In brief
Dmytro Sherembey, an HIV-positive advocate in Ukraine, and many others face dire consequences if USAID funding is halted, impacting global health, education, and human rights.
"I'm alive thanks to USAID," proclaims Dmytro Sherembey, who has battled HIV for over two decades in Ukraine. His words underscore the vital role played by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in combating the virus's spread within the country. Sherembey, leading a significant patient advocacy organization, credits USAID for being instrumental in identifying half of the HIV-positive individuals in Ukraine. However, the agency's future is now under threat due to political changes in the US.Following his return to office, President Donald Trump initiated a halt on almost all foreign assistance for 90 days. Trump has described USAID as "run by radical left lunatics," casting doubt on the validity of its programs without substantial evidence. The agency, established in 1961, operates with a budget approaching $40 billion and reaches over 60 countries worldwide, delivering essential services ranging from famine relief to health care.Sherembey recalls the devastation caused by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which damaged vital warehouses storing HIV medication. Thanks to USAID's support, the country managed to secure and disseminate replacement supplies. "This aid could be stopped by one person's decision," he laments. Protests are now erupting outside USAID headquarters, reflecting the rising concern over the agency's uncertain fate.Figures like Elon Musk, who has labeled USAID as a "criminal organization," further complicate the issue. Their rhetoric has raised alarms, especially in regions like Afghanistan, where USAID is a critical funder of health services catering to mothers and children. Local healthcare providers are bracing for dire consequences as funding suspensions threaten the very existence of essential services.With USAID’s broad scope, including support of cybersecurity initiatives and educational scholarships, many individuals face an unclear future. One Iranian activist, relying on USAID funding to combat censorship, warns of increasing vulnerability under a funding freeze. Meanwhile, students in Egypt fear their educational aspirations may collapse due to the funding uncertainty.Critics argue that USAID’s perceived inefficiencies and wasteful spending could hinder its mission; however, the implications of dismantling such a crucial support system are profound. Evidence from affected communities highlights the urgent need for USAID’s continued presence on a global scale. Sherembey stresses that without this aid, lives will be put at risk, returning vulnerable populations to a precarious reality.As this situation unfolds, many eyes remain on the political landscape, anticipating whether USAID will be merged under government restructuring or shuttered entirely. The stakes for countless individuals, particularly in regions reliant on USAID for health and aid, remain alarmingly high. “It is barbaric that we have returned to the Stone Age,” Sherembey warns, as hope hangs in the balance.
