**As the future of USAID hangs in the balance, voices from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Iran express concern over the impact on essential services and lives.**
**USAID on the Brink: Lives in Flux Amidst Political Turmoil**
**USAID on the Brink: Lives in Flux Amidst Political Turmoil**
**Dmytro Sherembey’s plea highlights the dire consequences of potential cuts to US aid programs**
In an urgent plea, Dmytro Sherembey proclaims, "I'm alive thanks to USAID." His words resonate with countless individuals relying on the crucial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), particularly in Ukraine, where he has battled HIV for 24 years. Sherembey, who leads the patient advocacy group 100% Life, credits USAID with playing a pivotal role in identifying and treating half of the HIV-positive individuals in Ukraine. With the backdrop of political unrest in the US, the future of USAID is currently uncertain, as President Donald Trump has initiated a review that could freeze foreign assistance for 90 days.
Amid rising tensions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sherembey reflects on how USAID swiftly intervened when warehouses were bombed, ensuring that HIV medications remained available. He emphasizes the stark reality of potentially losing this aid: "One person's decision could dictate my survival." Thousands rallied outside USAID headquarters, instigated by fears stemming from Trump's previous claims that the agency is rife with waste and mismanagement.
Established in 1961, USAID has a budget nearing $40 billion and functions in over 60 countries, addressing issues from famine detection to humanitarian assistance. Critics, including Trump and Elon Musk, have labeled it a mismanaged entity, while supporters underscore its importance, particularly in vulnerable nations like Afghanistan, where maternal health and wellness programs risk collapse without funding.
For Afghans, the withdrawal of USAID financing could mean devastating losses. Health workers have been urged to remain at home, threatening the safety of mothers and children, and midwives warn of increasing mortality rates if assistance continues to be withheld. Away from the medical realm, Iran’s activists also fear the ramifications of a funding freeze, which could hinder their operations against censorship.
Additionally, scholarships funded by USAID have become precarious, leaving students like Mohamed Ashraf questioning their futures amidst fears that their paths have become jeopardized. With Trump’s administration aiming to merge USAID into the Department of State, uncertainty looms over the agency's fate and the millions it supports across the globe.
Sherembey's plight underscores a deeper truth: for countless individuals across different realities, actions taken in Washington directly affect their lives and health. "If my hospital runs out of medication, alternatives simply do not exist," he warns, calling the potential aid freeze “barbaric.” The interplay of policy and human lives is laid bare, highlighting the urgent need for continued support for those in dire need around the world.
Amid rising tensions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sherembey reflects on how USAID swiftly intervened when warehouses were bombed, ensuring that HIV medications remained available. He emphasizes the stark reality of potentially losing this aid: "One person's decision could dictate my survival." Thousands rallied outside USAID headquarters, instigated by fears stemming from Trump's previous claims that the agency is rife with waste and mismanagement.
Established in 1961, USAID has a budget nearing $40 billion and functions in over 60 countries, addressing issues from famine detection to humanitarian assistance. Critics, including Trump and Elon Musk, have labeled it a mismanaged entity, while supporters underscore its importance, particularly in vulnerable nations like Afghanistan, where maternal health and wellness programs risk collapse without funding.
For Afghans, the withdrawal of USAID financing could mean devastating losses. Health workers have been urged to remain at home, threatening the safety of mothers and children, and midwives warn of increasing mortality rates if assistance continues to be withheld. Away from the medical realm, Iran’s activists also fear the ramifications of a funding freeze, which could hinder their operations against censorship.
Additionally, scholarships funded by USAID have become precarious, leaving students like Mohamed Ashraf questioning their futures amidst fears that their paths have become jeopardized. With Trump’s administration aiming to merge USAID into the Department of State, uncertainty looms over the agency's fate and the millions it supports across the globe.
Sherembey's plight underscores a deeper truth: for countless individuals across different realities, actions taken in Washington directly affect their lives and health. "If my hospital runs out of medication, alternatives simply do not exist," he warns, calling the potential aid freeze “barbaric.” The interplay of policy and human lives is laid bare, highlighting the urgent need for continued support for those in dire need around the world.
