…following the release of a memo in which he outlined how political appointees have “entirely obstructed” staff efforts to sustain life-saving aid The memo, by Nicholas Enrich, the acting assistant administrator for global health, contradicts claims by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that a functioning system is in place for exempting lifesaving assistance from the … [Read more…]
There’s been an underlying tension throughout the five week DOGE effort to suffocate USAID (and with it, millions of people around the world). After Trump halted foreign assistance, Republicans spoke up, often quietly; but John Cornyn did so publicly in a hearing, Jerry Moran did so as well (in part to support Kansas Ag markets), … [Read more…]
Benjamin Black, a son of the private equity mogul Leon Black and likely head of the International Development Finance Corporation, wants a piece of U.S.A.I.D.’s funding to invest in “pro-market” projects overseas. MORE
The axing of some 10,000 programs has consigned untold numbers of children and refugees to death, officials say. Documents and interviews reveal that the State Department appears to have made the cuts without the careful review it described in court. MORE
Two reports showing dire impacts on Africa and Gaza have not been released in fear of Trump’s wrath, official says The watchdog for the U.S. Agency for International Development has yet to release two critical reports onthe consequences of President Donald Trump’s funding freeze oncrucial services in Africa and the Middle East, amid fears of … [Read more…]
Malaria, the world’s deadliest mosquito-borne illness, is a longstanding health problem that leads to over half a million deaths annually. Africa had 95 percent of all malaria cases and 96 percent of deaths in 2022. The USAID-led U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) has been a key player in the fight against malaria. USAID has invested … [Read more…]
Late on Friday, a federal judge in Maryland issued a preliminary injunction pausing certain elements of the Trump Administration’s two recent executive orders (“EOs”) addressing “illegal DEI programs.” The two EOs, Exec. Order 14151, Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing (the “J20 Order”) and Exec. Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity (“J21 Order”), … [Read more…]
The State Department says it has reviewed over 6,000 of USAID’s foreign assistance grants, and only 500 of them will continue, NPR’s Fatma Tanis tells Up First. The programs being kept include food and lifesaving assistance for HIV, TB and malaria. A humanitarian official told Tanis that “this is a global health massacre.” Aid groups … [Read more…]
BELGRADE – Serbian police entered the offices of four civil society organizations (CSOs) this morning to collect information on the possible misuse of USAID funds, the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade stated. This institution confirmed it had formed a case based on the claims of several officials of the United States that USAID funds … [Read more…]
President Donald Trump’s administration said in a court filing on Wednesday it has made final decisions terminating most U.S. foreign aid contracts and grants, while maintaining it cannot meet a court-ordered 11:59 p.m. EST (0559 GMT) deadline to pay for past work. The filing in Washington, D.C., federal court , opens new tab came in … [Read more…]