Shortly upon assuming the presidency, one of the initial acts made by Donald Trump was to impose a freeze on foreign aid funds, a good chunk of which typically makes its way to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Despite constituting under 1% of the federal budget, USAID operates as a separate entity. The ruling party later clarified that any labor categorized under ‘lifesaving’ would not be impacted and could persist. However, individuals employed by USAID and associates from philanthropic organizations claim that their imperative work towards the eradication of HIV/AIDS worldwide is still hindered. This impediment could lead to devastating outcomes, with one USAID representative speculating that at least, 300 newborns could now be inflicted with HIV.
Showing no signs of slowing down since its instigation by President Trump within the past month, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service has been making strides across several government bureaus, inferring comprehensive alterations to the federal structure. However, USAID seems to have borne the brunt of its impact. Regardless, a widely recognized initiative executed by USAID, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief or PEPFAR, has been issued an ’emergency humanitarian waiver,’ permitting it to remain functional.
As a global health initiative set in motion under the supervision of former U.S. President George W. Bush and regulated by the State Department, PEPFAR is touted to have aided in saving approximately 26 million lives ever since its introduction in 2003. A few government institutions, including USAID, carry out its enactment. While the waiver granted by the Trump administration theoretically allows PEPFAR to continue some of its functions during the ongoing freeze on foreign aid, in practice, a significant portion of its lifesaving tasks is put on hold.
As per sources, numerous USAID personnel have been mandated to undertake administrative leaves or have found their email accounts and work servers suspended of late, including those who are working towards what they perceive as critical public health objectives. In nations such as Zambia, Nigeria, Haiti, and Mozambique, medical resources ranging from antiretroviral medications used for treating HIV to prophylaxes and condoms that can curb the transmission of the disease currently find themselves in an uncertain state.
Unable to get these aids to their intended recipients as USAID team meant to manage the logistics is on indefinite leave. ‘When a child is born, a diagnostic test conducted at an early stage can confirm presence of HIV, and if positive, a prompt dosing with retrovirals can be initiated. But without any retrovirals, this quick intervention is not possible,’ explains a USAID personnel regarding the gravity of the situation.
In Haiti, a worker involved in the aid distribution corroborates that HIV/AIDS medication provided by USAID is presently unobtainable. ‘We are unable to access the medicine’, they report. ‘Every process is now stalled.’
Asia Russell, the leading figure of Health GAP, the international HIV advocacy organization, claims ‘The current administration is gambling with the lives of several millions of people, with Haiti being just one significant instance of this in our hemisphere.’
Though PEPFAR is probably the most prominent of HIV/AIDS initiatives executed by USAID, the organization oversees several more programs dedicated to tackling this issue. The work of one such USAID employee, whose research is primarily centered around prophylactic appliances chiefly for women in sub-Saharan Africa, has also been affected.
They report, ‘The application for a humanitarian waiver has not yet been submitted by us. We are even struggling to get in touch with the IT department.’
Lawmakers representing the Democratic Party along with a multitude of USAID staff organized a protest in front of the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC, on Monday following their denied attempt to gain access to USAID offices.
‘Imposing a restriction on the power of the Congress in this detrimental, unconstitutional manner is putting lives in danger all around the globe,’ condemned Maryland representative Jamie Raskin.