The Strategic and Economic Impact of Dismantling USAID Programs

The Facts -

The Unseen Consequences of USAID Cuts: A Global and Strategic Impact

Recent decisions to scale back the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have sparked a significant debate about the agency's role and responsibility on the global stage. While some critics claim that USAID's mission was redundant and its operations wasteful, the evidence supporting this viewpoint is increasingly contested, especially as the effects of these cuts become apparent.

Among those who acknowledge USAID's expertise and substantial investments, a quieter, yet growing, argument questions the foundational responsibility of such missions: Why should American taxpayers fund life-saving efforts in Africa? This inquiry calls for a direct response, emphasizing that the rationale is not only moral but also strategic and economic.

USAID's Achievements

USAID's contributions extended far beyond the provision of food and medicine. The agency played a crucial role in building water and sanitation infrastructure to prevent disease outbreaks from escalating into epidemics. It supported governance reforms to bolster fragile democracies against authoritarian influences. Furthermore, USAID invested in agricultural development, fostering economies that subsequently became markets for U.S. exports.

Additionally, USAID funded vital surveillance systems that acted as the world’s early warning network for emerging pandemics. Economic analyses indicate that every dollar invested in USAID's agricultural programs generated over $8 in economic value. The cessation of such initiatives threatens over 200,000 U.S. jobs and risks $23 billion in exports.

As Austan Mogharabi, USAID representative of the American Foreign Service Association, previously stated, "USAID was not charity. It was investment, and the American taxpayer benefited from the returns in ways both easy and hard to quantify."

The Aftermath of Withdrawal

The withdrawal from USAID-funded initiatives has led to dire consequences. The World Health Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a global health emergency, a situation attributed to the dismantling of U.S.-supported surveillance infrastructure. In Kenya, the halt of over 80 USAID programs, including vital water and sanitation projects, left communities vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

Regrettably, the impact extends to loss of life. There are documented cases of people dying due to interrupted antiretroviral therapy, undelivered malaria medication, and halted treatment regimens. Although an exact count remains elusive due to dismantled tracking systems, the absence of precise numbers does not negate the human toll incurred.

The Strategic Competition

This situation also evokes concerns regarding international competition. The visibility of U.S. aid withdrawal is stark, as communities that benefited from American assistance now face its absence. As a result, China and Russia are stepping in to fill these voids with substantial infrastructure investments and security arrangements, respectively, in regions where USAID once operated.

The question was never about whether external powers would influence global dynamics, but rather which nations would do so, under what terms, and whose interests would be prioritized.

Every dollar spent by USAID not only enhanced the United States' global standing but also curtailed strategic competitors’ influence. With USAID’s retreat, the competition continues, yet the U.S. finds itself less participative.

The Path Forward

The next administration will face the repercussions of these decisions, necessitating choices about what to rebuild, how rapidly, and at what cost. Addressing these concerns requires acknowledging the agency's past achievements and the ongoing need for its work. The institutional knowledge necessary to reverse these cuts dwindles as former experts leave government duties.

Ultimately, the evidence is clear: The world still requires these efforts, and America still needs those equipped to execute them.

Austan Mogharabi represents the United States Agency for International Development for the American Foreign Service Association.

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