The Trump administration plans to discontinue US financial support for Gavi, an organization that has been instrumental in purchasing crucial vaccines for children in developing nations. Gavi has saved millions of lives over the past 25 years and has significantly expanded its efforts to combat malaria, which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
It has been decided that the administration will continue its major drug subsidies for HIV and tuberculosis treatments, as well as maintain food aid for countries experiencing civil wars and natural disasters.
These decisions were outlined in a 281-page document sent to Congress on Monday night by the U.S. International Development Agency, detailing foreign aid projects that are expected to be terminated. Copies of spreadsheets and other documents describing the plan were obtained by The New York Times.
The document portrays the US as a compassionate ally, highlighting the significant scale of the withdrawal from longstanding efforts and emphasizing the commitment to leading the fight against infectious diseases that claim millions of lives each year.
The cover letter provides details on the reduction of funds to USAID, with a significant portion of its budget being cut and only 869 out of over 6,000 employees remaining.
The administration has decided to continue 898 USAID awards while terminating 5,341, according to the letter. The value of the remaining programs is reported to be up to $78 billion, with $8.3 billion still available for disbursement. This suggests a substantial $40 billion reduction in annual USAID spending.
A State Department spokesperson overseeing the remainder of USAID confirmed the accuracy of the termination list, stating that each award was reviewed based on agency priorities and if deemed inconsistent, it was terminated.
The memo presented to Congress portrays foreign aid as a unilateral decision. However, there are questions about the administration’s legal authority to terminate these programs, as spending on specific health initiatives is typically allocated by Congress.
Several programs, including funding for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and efforts to combat malaria, have been terminated.
Sierra Leone’s health minister, Dr. Austin Demby, expressed concern over the termination of US funding for Gavi, emphasizing the impact on children’s health globally.
He highlighted the importance of Gavi’s support in purchasing vaccines and providing critical aid, particularly during outbreaks such as MPOX.
Dr. Demby urged the US government to reconsider its decision, emphasizing that investing in Gavi is essential for global health security.
Gavi has been credited with saving the lives of 19 million children since its inception 25 years ago, with the US contributing 13% of its budget.
The termination of the grant to Gavi, valued at $2.6 billion until 2030, could have serious consequences for vaccine distribution in low-income countries.
The loss of US support may lead to a significant reduction in Gavi’s ability to provide essential services, potentially impacting millions of children who rely on vaccinations.
Gavi’s estimates suggest that without US funding, 75 million children may not receive routine vaccinations in the next five years, resulting in over 1.2 million deaths.
The United States has been a key donor to Gavi and has played a crucial role in supporting the organization, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. Sania Nishter, the CEO of Gavi, expressed hope that the Trump administration would reconsider its decision to cut support, emphasizing the importance of Gavi’s work in protecting global health.
Vaccinations provided by Gavi not only safeguard individual children but also reduce the risk of major disease outbreaks. Gavi maintains a global stockpile of vaccines against diseases such as Ebola and cholera for rapid response efforts during outbreaks.
While the administration has indicated that the foreign aid review process is complete, there is still funding available for some programs to continue. However, there have been significant reductions in malaria response efforts, impacting vulnerable populations in countries like Cameroon and Tanzania.
The memo also highlights staffing changes at USAID, with some employees being placed on administrative leave or terminated, raising concerns about the agency’s operational capacity.
Source: www.nytimes.com
