by: Siyona Singhal
Humor Editor

Since the very first day of his second term, President Donald Trump has been making decisions that greatly impact global humanitarian efforts. One of these decisions included dissolving the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He issued this executive order on Jan. 20, 2025, and by Feb. 3, 2025, the USAID building in Washington, D.C. was closed. The U.S government needs to reinstate USAID to fulfill the U.S.’s moral duty to support our allies and strengthen international relations.

USAID provided valuable humanitarian help. From 2002 to 2021, global aid reduced child mortality by 39% (for kids under five). It also contributed to mortality rate declines from communicable diseases, including a 70% drop in HIV/AIDS and a 56% drop in malaria. Researchers also found that deaths from nutritional deficiencies were reduced by 56%. Clearly, the U.S.-funded global aid was incredibly valuable to developing and struggling countries. Without external aid, poverty-stricken areas are already seeing significant impacts.

The Center for Global Development’s analysis of the USAID cuts determined that the decline in current spending may have led to between 500,000 and 1 million more lives lost in 2025 compared to previous years. The decline in future spending is projected to lead to 670,000 to 1.6 million more deaths annually. In addition, a study by The Lancet Medical Journal predicts that the global aid cuts could lead to at least 9.4 million additional deaths by 2030. About 2.5 million of those deaths are projected to be children under the age of five. These numbers are terrifying. They represent preventable loss of human life. Countries around the world rely on American foreign aid to combat disease, hunger, and poverty. Without this support, already vulnerable populations face worsening mortality rates and collapsing healthcare systems. The U.S. cannot ignore the human consequences of withdrawing assistance.

Further, reinstating USAID benefits Americans as well. Cutting foreign aid sets an “America first” ideology, which reflects poorly on American international relationships. This mindset has also led to the U.S administration disregarding treaties with Greenland, launching military strikes, and continuing to harm relationships with other countries. USAID is a symbol of what America strives to be and the world it aims to create. Trump’s actions have painted America as an erratic adversary rather than a stable ally.

While people argue that USAID takes too much federal funding, foreign aid only makes up about 1% of the federal budget. The answer is clear: the government must reinstate USAID, especially in a time when countries are war-torn and struggling. By cutting USAID, America has caused a vast increase in international mortality rates and sent the message that America only cares about itself. Reinstating USAID represents a reinstatement of responsibility, moral accountability, and a move towards saving millions of lives. The U.S government needs to take action, and soon.

(Sources: CNN, NYT, KFF)