USAID's cessation of funding has left individuals and organizations grappling with dire health and economic situations, exemplifying the ripple effect of foreign aid cuts.
USAID Cuts Leave Bangladesh’s Vulnerable Population on Edge
USAID Cuts Leave Bangladesh’s Vulnerable Population on Edge
The reduction of USAID funding threatens critical health services in Bangladesh and worsens the plight of vulnerable communities.
14 hours ago
When Kajol fell ill with tuberculosis, USAID's support was critical to her survival. Now, amid cuts ordered by the Trump administration, her treatment hangs in the balance, echoing fears of a public health crisis in Bangladesh.
The 17-year-old Kajol, the primary provider for her family in the impoverished Mohammadpur neighborhood of Dhaka, contracted TB in January. The highly contagious disease, which can be fatal if untreated, has seen a resurgence in Bangladesh, where the cost of treatment is prohibitive for many families. USAID played a pivotal role in keeping her alive by funding local initiatives like Nari Maitree, which provided free testing and treatment. However, funding was abruptly halted in February, leaving her medical regimen incomplete and at risk of complications.
Dipa Halder, a community health advocate, has been on the front lines in educating residents and providing support for TB treatment, but with USAID's cuts, she too is now out of work, underscoring the broader impact of the funding reduction. Reports suggest that over 113 USAID-backed programs in Bangladesh have halted, putting many lives at risk and leaving many without jobs in the non-governmental sector, which employs around 500,000 people.
The financial implications of the USAID cuts are severe; assistance to Bangladesh dropped from $500 million in 2024 to a mere $71 million in 2023, drastically affecting essential health initiatives. The sudden cessation of support means more than just the loss of TB prevention resources; it signifies a growing crisis in sanitation and health care across the country.
The cuts are not confined to health services; they extend to humanitarian assistance for over a million Rohingya refugees residing in the world's largest refugee camp in Cox's Bazar. With the US contributing nearly half of the aid, organizations like UNICEF report critical shortages of basic supplies, leading to dire conditions exacerbated by ongoing outbreaks of cholera and scabies.
Bangladesh's interim leadership acknowledges the fiscal blow but seems ill-prepared to address the immediate needs created by the US cuts. Observers highlight an urgent need for a strategic overhaul to sustain the livelihoods of Bangladesh’s most vulnerable populations.
In the face of dwindling resources, families like that of Rehana Begum, who receives limited food rations, are terrified at what the future may hold, with the looming threat of hunger. As the humanitarian landscape shifts and security concerns grow in the refugee camps, the consequences of these funding cuts could escalate, leading to a disaster for millions in need.
When Kajol fell ill with tuberculosis, USAID's support was critical to her survival. Now, amid cuts ordered by the Trump administration, her treatment hangs in the balance, echoing fears of a public health crisis in Bangladesh.
The 17-year-old Kajol, the primary provider for her family in the impoverished Mohammadpur neighborhood of Dhaka, contracted TB in January. The highly contagious disease, which can be fatal if untreated, has seen a resurgence in Bangladesh, where the cost of treatment is prohibitive for many families. USAID played a pivotal role in keeping her alive by funding local initiatives like Nari Maitree, which provided free testing and treatment. However, funding was abruptly halted in February, leaving her medical regimen incomplete and at risk of complications.
Dipa Halder, a community health advocate, has been on the front lines in educating residents and providing support for TB treatment, but with USAID's cuts, she too is now out of work, underscoring the broader impact of the funding reduction. Reports suggest that over 113 USAID-backed programs in Bangladesh have halted, putting many lives at risk and leaving many without jobs in the non-governmental sector, which employs around 500,000 people.
The financial implications of the USAID cuts are severe; assistance to Bangladesh dropped from $500 million in 2024 to a mere $71 million in 2023, drastically affecting essential health initiatives. The sudden cessation of support means more than just the loss of TB prevention resources; it signifies a growing crisis in sanitation and health care across the country.
The cuts are not confined to health services; they extend to humanitarian assistance for over a million Rohingya refugees residing in the world's largest refugee camp in Cox's Bazar. With the US contributing nearly half of the aid, organizations like UNICEF report critical shortages of basic supplies, leading to dire conditions exacerbated by ongoing outbreaks of cholera and scabies.
Bangladesh's interim leadership acknowledges the fiscal blow but seems ill-prepared to address the immediate needs created by the US cuts. Observers highlight an urgent need for a strategic overhaul to sustain the livelihoods of Bangladesh’s most vulnerable populations.
In the face of dwindling resources, families like that of Rehana Begum, who receives limited food rations, are terrified at what the future may hold, with the looming threat of hunger. As the humanitarian landscape shifts and security concerns grow in the refugee camps, the consequences of these funding cuts could escalate, leading to a disaster for millions in need.
