The Death of USAID: These People Are out of Their Freaking Minds

Economies in poorer countries with which USAID has partnered may also start to suffer. USAID works with governments, nongovernmental organizations, and businesses in countries friendly to the United States to help build market economies, support energy systems, boost agricultural productivity, and implement other activities designed to foster self-reliance and resilience against economic shocks—all while making these markets more attractive for foreign investment.

The U.S. also contributes about $4 out of every $10 committed to humanitarian relief in crises. These include manmade disasters like Gaza and Sudan and natural disasters like droughts, earthquakes, and hurricanes. USAID is a dominant funder in this sector, sometimes directly, through its Disaster Assistance Response Teams, or DARTs, but mostly by supporting major international NGOs and smaller local NGOs that provide aid in times of crisis.

Perhaps the most insidious impact of USAID’s death will be on the aid sector itself. Aid and development have become a highly specialized field, populated by thousands of professionals who have gained hard-earned expertise in responding to humanitarian crises, supporting economic and social development in poorer countries, providing health care in war zones, and fighting infectious diseases.