The findings, published in The Lancet medical journal, have raised alarm across the global humanitarian sector. USAID, which has operated independently for over 60 years, is being formally dissolved and absorbed into the US State Department, a move critics describe as reckless and dangerously short-sighted.

The agency had long been regarded as a cornerstone of international development efforts. Between 2000 and 2021, its programmes are believed to have prevented over 90 million deaths, many through HIV prevention, maternal health support, and emergency relief in low-income countries.

Roughly 80% of USAID’s funding has been withdrawn, prompting fears of a steep decline in support to struggling nations, particularly across Africa, where USAID has had a substantial footprint.

Development experts have criticised the sudden and unstructured nature of the closure. Many warn that it will disrupt essential health services, food security efforts and education programmes relied on by millions.

“The scale of this decision is difficult to overstate,” said one senior Health Researcher familiar with the study. “It’s not simply a reshuffle; it is the collapse of a system that has kept millions alive.”

US officials maintain that the decision is part of a wider restructuring to streamline operations and reduce redundancy across departments. However, global health advocates argue that it comes at a steep human cost, one that will be borne by the world’s poorest and most at-risk communities.

--ChannelAfrica--