United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

USAID was the primary U.S. development and global health agency until its effective abolition in mid‑2025. - Development agency dissolved; programs absorbed or terminated

In 2025 the United States began dismantling its post-Cold War global health architecture: withdrawing from the World Health Organization, freezing most foreign aid, and abolishing USAID’s development role. On this foundation, the Trump administration unveiled an 'America First Global Health Strategy' that replaces large multilateral and NGO-run programs with tightly negotiated bilateral health compacts requiring partner governments to co-finance HIV, TB, malaria and outbreak response programs and gradually assume full responsibility. Kenya signed the first such deal on December 4, 2025, followed by Rwanda on December 5–6 with a $228 million compact; by early 2026, 15 nations had signed agreements committing over $16 billion, with the U.S. covering 100% of commodity costs in FY2026 before tapering support.

Updated Feb 5

The former U.S. foreign assistance agency, responsible for humanitarian aid and development programs worldwide. - Officially shut down July 1, 2025; merged into State Department

The United States joined the World Health Organization on June 14, 1948, three years after helping design it. On January 22, 2026, the U.S. became the first country to complete a withdrawal from the agency—walking away from 77 years of leadership in global health. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. jointly announced the withdrawal's completion, citing the WHO's 'failures during the COVID-19 pandemic' and its inability to demonstrate independence from 'inappropriate political influence.' The U.S. departed without paying between $130 million and $278 million in disputed dues, with the administration asserting no obligation to pay prior to exit.

Updated Jan 23

America's foreign aid agency, created by Kennedy to compete with Soviet soft power during the Cold War. - Being dismantled and absorbed into State Department

Hours after taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order freezing all U.S. foreign aid for 90 days. What followed was the systematic dismantlement of USAID, the government's humanitarian arm: stop-work orders shuttered HIV clinics in Ivory Coast, refugee camps lost infrastructure support, and 3.8 million women lost access to contraceptive care. By March, the administration had terminated 5,800 contracts, fired over 1,600 employees, and placed nearly all of USAID's 4,700 workers on leave. Secretary of State Marco Rubio took control of the agency, calling it "completely unresponsive" and announcing plans to absorb what remains into the State Department.

Updated Jan 7

America's primary foreign aid agency for 64 years, dissolved in six months. - Officially closed July 1, 2025

The United States pledged $2 billion for UN humanitarian aid on December 29, down from as much as $17 billion annually—an 88% cut that represents the most dramatic foreign aid contraction in modern American history. Within hours of his January inauguration, Trump froze nearly all foreign assistance, then dismantled USAID entirely by July, warning UN agencies they must 'adapt, shrink or die.' The new funding flows through a single UN office rather than individual agencies, centralizing control as millions lose shelter, food, and medical care. UN experts estimate over 350,000 deaths have resulted from the aid freeze—including more than 200,000 children.

Updated Dec 29, 2025