Reckless Decisions, Disastrous Consequences

How dearly narcissistic leaders have cost the world! Their arrogance — as if they can do no wrong — has and continues to do terrible damage.

Such is the case with shutting down the U.S. Agency for International Development, a Donald Trump and Elon Musk initiative. I don’t doubt that there is corruption, and if there is, then there should be a rigorous investigation and those responsible should be punished. But to shutter the agency? Didn’t anyone at any time consider the significant social impact this closing will have on the most disadvantaged regions of the world? And if they did, didn’t it matter?

USAID has historically been one of the principal sources of international financing for development, health, education and disaster relief projects in many developing countries. The withdrawal or reduction of its support will have numerous, extremely serious implications at the local and international level.

Let’s talk from a neutral perspective about some of the initiatives that are affected. I’ll start with health and welfare. USAID has played a crucial role in improving public health systems in many countries. Interrupting support could affect the continuity of essential programs, such as vaccination, maternal and child health and the control of infectious diseases like malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

With respect to HIV/AIDS, USAID has been a key player in the financing and implementation of health programs that provide anti-retroviral treatment to some 50 million people around the world. Interrupting these activities will have profound and lasting humanitarian consequences. ARV treatments are essential for managing HIV because they help suppress the virus, improving the quality of life of the patients and reducing transmission. Without these treatments, the levels of mortality and morbidity associated with HIV/AIDS could increase drastically.

In the educational sphere, USAID has contributed to increasing access to and improving the quality of education, especially for girls and marginalized groups. Closing USAID programs could reduce the availability of resources for schools, teacher training and educational materials. This could negatively affect academic achievement and literacy rates.

USAID has also been a catalyst for economic development by financing infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and economic empowerment projects. The suspension of these programs could slow economic growth, affecting job creation and limiting access to international markets for local products.

This is not to mention the critical role USAID has played in natural disasters and humanitarian crises. Without its support, communities could face greater challenges in preparing for and recovering from emergencies, which could make them more vulnerable and increase food insecurity.

And finally, but no less important, USAID has supported initiatives for strengthening democratic governance and the promotion of human rights. Stopping these programs could impact the progress made in government transparency, civic engagement and the protection of fundamental rights, especially in situations where institutions are fragile.

I’ll repeat what I said at the beginning: If there is corruption in an organization, the solution is to investigate, expose the wrongdoing and try and punish the guilty parties. The solution should not in any case be to suddenly shut down an institution that has given so much help to millions of people around the world since it was founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.

Closing USAID indicates what is coming with Trump, Musk and their allies as they seize unlimited power and make themselves masters of the world. Egocentric and arrogant, they don’t feel the slightest consideration, compassion or empathy for anyone. God help us all.