Feb 01 USAID website goes dark amid Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid worldwide By Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press The website of the U.S. Agency for International Development went offline without explanation Saturday as thousands of furloughs, layoffs and program shutdowns continued in President Donald Trump's freeze on U.S.-funded foreign aid and development worldwide. Continue reading
Jan 28 Watch 6:36 Medical experts concerned USAID spending cuts could impact global health programs By Geoff Bennett, Jackson Hudgins The uncertainty around the Trump Administration's sweeping funding freeze is also alarming many in the world of global health since it could affect key programs overseen by USAID. Geoff Bennett discussed the potential impact with Dr. Atul Gawande. Continue watching
Jan 28 AP report: Dozens of USAID officials placed on leave as agency investigates alleged resistance to Trump orders By Ellen Knickmeyer, Matthew Lee, Associated Press It follows Trump's executive order last week that directed a sweeping 90-day pause on most U.S. foreign assistance disbursed through the State Department. Continue reading
Jan 08 Watch 9:29 Is U.S. foreign aid for health care being used effectively? By Fred de Sam Lazaro The vast majority of foreign aid administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development goes through middlemen, international aid agencies or U.S.-based private companies that then distribute the assistance. Critics say the system leaves out many deserving locally-led startups and… Continue watching
Jan 07 Watch 8:41 Where does U.S. foreign aid go and does it make an impact? By Fred de Sam Lazaro The U.S. has long been one of the world’s largest donors of foreign aid. But in recent years, its effectiveness has been called into question by a chorus of critics who say the impact of assistance programs falls well short… Continue watching
Sep 24 Watch 9:45 ‘It will only be civilians who pay the price’ if Middle East war expands, USAID chief says By Amna Nawaz, Zeba Warsi, Dan Sagalyn, Kayan Tara The U.S. Agency for International Development is engaged in many of the conflict zones around the world, supplying vital humanitarian assistance to millions in need. Amna Nawaz sat down with Samantha Power, the administrator of USAID, to discuss those efforts. Continue watching
Sep 07 At least $1 billion needed to avert famine in Somalia, U.N. says By Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press The U.N. humanitarian chief predicts at least a billion dollars will be needed urgently to avert famine in Somalia. Continue reading
Aug 09 Watch 9:05 U.S. makes diplomatic push in Africa to counteract Russian and Chinese influence By Nick Schifrin Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo Tuesday as part of a tour across sub-Saharan Africa to unveil the Biden administration's new strategy for the region. It comes as Russia and China try to raise… Continue watching
Oct 29 Belarus forces U.S. to close public diplomacy, USAID offices By Yuras Karmanau, Associated Press Belarus has forced the closure of the U.S. Embassy's Public Diplomacy and USAID offices in a move that comes amid the tensions with the U.S. and its allies over Belarusian authorities' crackdown on protests. Continue reading
Aug 03 USAID official fired after anti-LGBTQ social media posts By Matthew Lee, Associated Press Officials say Merritt Corrigan was fired Monday just hours after sending the torrent of tweets that also accused Democratic lawmakers of a "corrupt campaign" to oust her from her job. Continue reading