Trump’s Major USAID Funding Cuts Impact Pakistan and Bangladesh

President Trump has announced the cancellation of 83% of USAID programs, impacting countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. This decision is aimed at reallocating funds to initiatives that benefit American interests, after reviewing existing contracts and identifying misapplications of aid.

Recently, United States President Donald Trump proclaimed that no financial assistance will be allocated through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced via X the cancellation of 83% of USAID programs, a decision that will adversely impact countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, which have been beneficiaries of substantial aid in previous years.

The cancellation affects over 5,200 contracts worldwide, amounting to billions of dollars that were deemed unnecessary for America’s core national interests. Furthermore, some funding previously contributed to activities counterproductive to U.S. interests, prompting the decision to retain only those programs that offer direct benefits to America. Following discussions with Congress, Secretary Rubio indicated that 18% of the programs will continue, focusing on those aligned with U.S. interests.

Secretary Rubio mentioned that the DOGE team played a pivotal role in this review process, identifying the vulnerabilities through which U.S. funds were improperly allocated. Under previous USAID frameworks, Bangladesh received approximately $440 million, while Pakistan was allocated around $231 million, and Sri Lanka about $123 million. Now, with the cessation of this aid, numerous projects in these countries have been suspended, and it has been alleged that a portion of these funds supported anti-India initiatives in Pakistan and Bangladesh.

In summary, President Trump’s recent decision to withdraw funds from USAID has significant implications for countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. The cancellation of 83% of aid programs reflects a strategic shift in U.S. foreign aid policy, prioritizing only those initiatives that serve American interests. As funding ceases, projects currently reliant on this assistance face uncertainty, particularly in areas where previous funds were reportedly mismanaged or directed towards harmful activities.

Original Source: www.india.com