Summary
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officially closed on July 1st, after the Trump administration dismantled it since January. The remaining functions of USAID will now be managed by the State Department, raising concerns about whether it can handle the agency’s large-scale aid programs.
Key Facts
- USAID began in 1961 to provide humanitarian aid and development programs worldwide.
- President Trump’s administration decided to close USAID, officially shutting it down on July 1st.
- Thousands of USAID contracts were canceled, and many employees were laid off.
- The State Department will take over the duties of USAID, but there are doubts about its capability to manage aid programs.
- Former USAID officials expressed concerns over the closure's impact on global aid and famine response.
- Approximately 94% of USAID's 13,000 staff members were laid off.
- USAID historically played a crucial role in managing global famine responses and disaster aid.
- Experts worry about increasing hunger and famine since USAID's closure.
