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cover of episode USAID Closure Puts “Millions of Lives at Risk,” Humanitarian Groups Warn

USAID Closure Puts “Millions of Lives at Risk,” Humanitarian Groups Warn

2025/2/10
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KQED's Forum
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The Trump administration is drastically cutting funding to USAID, impacting numerous global health and humanitarian programs. This decision, seemingly influenced by Elon Musk's public criticism, has led to confusion and chaos among USAID staff and partners worldwide, halting critical services and raising concerns about the potential for widespread harm.
  • Significant cuts to USAID budget.
  • Halt of humanitarian and health programs.
  • Confusion and chaos among staff.
  • Disruption to critical services.
  • Elon Musk's influence.

Shownotes Transcript

President Trump on Friday called for the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development, America’s main humanitarian and development agency. The administration has already been dismantling USAID, over the last few weeks, forcing employees out and cutting off billions of dollars in foreign aid. Under the plan, the agency is to be left with less than 600 staff out of about 10,000. Critics, like former USAID official Jeremy Konyndyk say the closure will “put millions of lives at risk” and could undermine US foreign policy. We’ll look at what feeding USAID into the “woodchipper,” as Elon Musk has pledged, means for those who rely on its services, which include HIV treatment, disaster relief, and children’s health.

Guests:

**Jeremy Konyndyk, **president, Refugees International. He also led USAID offices during previous administrations.

**Joia Mukherjee, **chief medical officer, Partners In Health

**Elissa Miolene, **reporter covering USAID and the U.S. government, Devex