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Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025
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U.S. Government Reveals Major Reductions to USAID Initiatives.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has verified an 83% decrease in USAID initiatives after an evaluation of foreign aid expenditures.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the United States will eliminate 83 percent of the programs at the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
This decision is part of a larger initiative launched by President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order in January to halt all foreign aid, allowing the administration to evaluate overseas expenditures.
The purpose of this review is to align aid programs with the 'America First' policy.
In a message posted on social media platform X, Rubio announced, "After a six-week review, we are officially canceling 83% of the programs at USAID." He explained that this decision impacts around 5,200 contracts, which, as he noted, consumed tens of billions of dollars and did not align with the fundamental national interests of the United States; some programs were even said to have caused harm.
USAID oversees the distribution of US humanitarian aid worldwide, implementing health and emergency initiatives in about 120 countries.
In an earlier statement on February 26, the State Department, which oversees USAID, expressed its plans to reduce 92 percent of the agency's program funding, specifically targeting 5,800 grants for removal.
Rubio also thanked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by entrepreneur Elon Musk, which is working to decrease costs and staff sizes across various government sectors.
The Trump administration and its advocates have repeatedly criticized foreign aid as wasteful and disconnected from American interests.
Nonetheless, critics, including aid organizations, argue that much of this assistance is vital for fostering global stability and health, cautioning that cuts to aid could have harmful consequences for vulnerable communities around the world.
This decision is part of a larger initiative launched by President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order in January to halt all foreign aid, allowing the administration to evaluate overseas expenditures.
The purpose of this review is to align aid programs with the 'America First' policy.
In a message posted on social media platform X, Rubio announced, "After a six-week review, we are officially canceling 83% of the programs at USAID." He explained that this decision impacts around 5,200 contracts, which, as he noted, consumed tens of billions of dollars and did not align with the fundamental national interests of the United States; some programs were even said to have caused harm.
USAID oversees the distribution of US humanitarian aid worldwide, implementing health and emergency initiatives in about 120 countries.
In an earlier statement on February 26, the State Department, which oversees USAID, expressed its plans to reduce 92 percent of the agency's program funding, specifically targeting 5,800 grants for removal.
Rubio also thanked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by entrepreneur Elon Musk, which is working to decrease costs and staff sizes across various government sectors.
The Trump administration and its advocates have repeatedly criticized foreign aid as wasteful and disconnected from American interests.
Nonetheless, critics, including aid organizations, argue that much of this assistance is vital for fostering global stability and health, cautioning that cuts to aid could have harmful consequences for vulnerable communities around the world.
