In brief
Dmytro Sherembey attributes his survival and ongoing HIV treatment to USAID, which faces imminent threats posed by US political changes. With potential funding cuts looming, the repercussions could be devastating not just for Ukraine but for vulnerable populations worldwide who rely on US foreign assistance.
"I'm alive thanks to USAID," declares Dmytro Sherembey, a long-term HIV patient in Ukraine who credits the assistance agency with providing crucial medical support. Sherembey highlights that nearly half of Ukraine's HIV-positive individuals owe their diagnosis to USAID initiatives. However, the future of USAID is now precarious under political scrutiny in the United States. After returning to the presidency, Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a temporary halt on foreign aid to reassess its effectiveness, labeling USAID as a haven for "radical left lunatics" and attributing "tremendous fraud" to the organization—a claim made without substantiation.As head of 100% Life, Ukraine's largest patient-led network, Sherembey recalls how bombings during Russia’s invasion in 2022 impacted essential HIV medication supplies. Thanks to USAID's quick response, replacement medications were procured and distributed promptly, highlighting the vital role of US assistance. "This aid might be withdrawn based on a single decision from Washington," he warns.Established in 1961, USAID operates with a budget of nearly $40 billion, funding a wide range of humanitarian efforts in over 60 countries. However, services could collapse if Trump's initiatives come to fruition. Criticism of the agency is intensifying, with Elon Musk branding it a "criminal organization" devoid of evidence, and asserting that it should be dismantled.In countries like Afghanistan, where USAID is a key contributor to healthcare programs, staff have been instructed to stay home, leaving women without access to maternal care. The implications of a funding freeze are stark; one mother fears an increase in mortality rates as hospitals face closure.USAID's scope also encompasses cybersecurity, aiding activists in Iran fighting against censorship, but without funds, these critical operations may cease. Young students in Egypt who rely on USAID scholarships are left in uncertainty, one expressing despair over an unclear future after once thriving academically.While Trump has openly criticized international spending, curtailing USAID may require legislative backing, posing significant challenges. The fate of thousands hangs in the balance, with Sherembey emphasizing, "If our medication runs out, I will have to rely on alternatives that simply don’t exist." The reality for those relying on USAID’s support underscores a pressing humanitarian crisis that could escalate if foreign aid halts.
