U.S. Dismantles USAID, Transfers Foreign Aid Control to State Department

U.S. Dismantles USAID, Transfers Foreign Aid Control to State Department
————————-
In a significant overhaul of American foreign aid policy, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Khaama Press reported. Effective immediately, all U.S. foreign assistance programs will be managed directly by the Department of State. Rubio criticized USAID for failing in its mission and stated that future aid will be conditional and strategically aligned with American national interests.

USAID, established in 1961, has been a key instrument of U.S. humanitarian and development efforts worldwide, funding programs in over 100 countries, including vaccination drives, disaster relief, and education initiatives. The agency’s dissolution marks the end of decades of global outreach traditionally focused on humanitarian goals.

The decision follows mounting criticism of USAID’s effectiveness and calls within the Trump administration for tighter control over foreign spending. USAID had already experienced budget cuts and reduced authority since 2017. Rubio emphasized that the shift is a realignment rather than a retreat from global engagement.

However, experts warn that ending USAID’s operations without sustainable alternatives could have dire consequences. A recent global impact study estimates that the termination of U.S. financial assistance in health, education, and food security could result in over 14 million deaths worldwide within five years. Critics argue that this move risks undermining U.S. soft power and leaving vulnerable populations without critical support amid escalating global crises.