More than 80% USAID programmes officially ending

In a seismic shift in U.S. foreign policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the termination of over 80% of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) programmes. The move follows a six-week review initiated by President Donald Trump’s administration, aligning with its “America First” stance on overseas funding.

The Purge and Its Impact of USAID Programmes Shutting Down

The decision, which affects thousands of development initiatives, has already triggered widespread humanitarian concerns. Of the 6,200 USAID programmes previously in operation, only 18% will continue—now under the direct oversight of the State Department. Rubio justified the cuts, claiming that “tens of billions” had been spent in ways that failed to serve U.S. interests or actively harmed them.

In a post on X, Rubio praised the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, for its role in the sweeping review. Thousands of USAID employees have been dismissed, and overseas personnel recalled since the process began in January.

Global Fallout: Lives in the Balance

Humanitarian groups are raising alarms over the abrupt cuts, warning that the repercussions are already being felt worldwide. In Sudan, over 1,100 communal kitchens providing food for those displaced by war have shut down, leaving nearly two million people in crisis. In Oman, Afghan women who had sought higher education abroad after fleeing the Taliban now face deportation due to the abrupt termination of their USAID-funded scholarships.

Meanwhile, in India, the country’s first medical clinic dedicated to transgender healthcare has ceased operations in three cities due to the withdrawal of U.S. aid.

Legal and Political Backlash

The cuts have sparked immediate legal challenges. Critics argue that USAID’s programs, funded by Congress, cannot be eliminated without proper legislative approval. Lawsuits have already been filed by multiple humanitarian organizations, accusing the administration of overreach and violations of U.S. law.

Despite the backlash, Rubio has doubled down on the decision, insisting that remaining programs will be “administered more effectively” under the State Department’s control. Whether legal challenges can reverse the sweeping cuts remains to be seen, but the impact on global humanitarian efforts is already unfolding.