In brief
Dmytro Sherembey, an HIV-positive activist in Ukraine, highlights the essential role of USAID in saving lives during the ongoing conflict. However, the future of the agency is jeopardized by political moves in the U.S., raising fears over the impact on vulnerable populations worldwide.
"I'm alive thanks to USAID," states Dmytro Sherembey, an advocate for those living with HIV in Ukraine. For 24 years, Sherembey has relied on the support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to manage his health, stating that this assistance has been instrumental in controlling the spread of HIV across the nation. "Every second HIV-positive person in Ukraine was identified thanks to this program," he emphasizes. Yet, the future of USAID is now riddled with uncertainty.Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump initiated a review of foreign aid, temporarily freezing nearly all assistance for 90 days. Trump has labeled USAID as an agency run by "radical left lunatics" and accused it of "tremendous fraud," all without providing substantial evidence to back his claims. As the head of 100% Life, Ukraine's largest patient-led organization, Sherembey recalls the horror of Russia's invasion in 2022, during which vital HIV medication warehouses were destroyed. He credits USAID for its swift response in securing replacement medications, an effort crucial to many patients like himself. "This is assistance from the American people, but it could be halted by the whims of one person," he warns.USAID, established in 1961 and employing around 10,000 staff members with an annual budget nearing $40 billion, operates in over 60 countries, providing various humanitarian services from food distribution to health care. Funding freezes could have devastating effects, particularly in places like Afghanistan, where the agency funds significant health initiatives for women and children. Reports indicate that many medical professionals assigned to USAID-funded projects have been forced to stay home as funding has dried up, aggravating an already critical healthcare crisis.The backlash against USAID has been exacerbated by figures like Elon Musk, who referred to the agency as a "criminal organization." Under these pressures, the future of numerous life-saving programs hangs in the balance. Activists supporting rights in countries like Iran fear that the loss of USAID resources could cripple their operations, hampering support for detained opposition figures and activists. Additionally, students who depend on USAID scholarships find their futures clouded with uncertainty.Critics of USAID, including Trump, argue that the agency does not provide adequate value for American taxpayers. Still, the potential closure of the agency would likely necessitate Congressional approval, something Musk's calls for immediate action may not achieve. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken control of USAID, suggesting plans to consolidate it with the Department of State, which means thousands of USAID employees will be on leave soon.For Sherembey, the stakes are dire. "My life is at risk. If my hospital runs out of medication, I will have to find alternatives," he laments, adding that there are virtually no options for HIV-positive individuals in Ukraine to acquire medications independently. "It is barbaric that we have returned to the Stone Age," he concludes, calling for urgent support from advocates to preserve essential funding and services.
