USAID: The World’s Most Controversial Lifesaver

Photo by Wanman uthmaniyyah on Unsplash

Ah, USAID — the US Agency for International Development. AKA, the agency you never heard of until Elon Musk and a bunch of 20-year-olds kicked in the door and took chainsaws to the program.

So, did they find that Politico was being illegally funded? Did USAID send $50m worth of condoms to Hamas in Gaza? Oh wait, this just in … Trump has updated his numbers … it’s now $100m worth of condoms, which would be enough condoms for the entire planet, including women.

But I digress.

Depending on who you ask, USAID is either a shining beacon of humanitarianism or a diss track to American imperialism. Like a well-meaning but sometimes clumsy giant, it steps into global crises, offering aid, funding development, and occasionally making a mess along the way. But love it or hate it, USAID has left an undeniable mark on the world, often for the better.

So, let’s figure this out: Why does USAID exist, why does it drive MAGA mad, and why — despite all the criticism — does the world keep calling on it in times of need?

USAID: America’s Philanthropic Power Play

USAID was created in 1961, during the Cold War, when the U.S. realized that dropping food and medicine into struggling nations was a far better look than, say, dropping bombs. The mission? Promote economic growth, improve health, educate people, and — let’s be honest — win hearts and minds in key geopolitical regions.

Since then, USAID has become a globe-trotting, disaster-fighting, life-saving machine, throwing billions of dollars at problems like famine, disease, war, and poverty. Of course, that much money and influence doesn’t come without controversy. Critics argue that it’s just a diplomatic tool disguised as charity, picking winners and losers in global politics. But before we dig into the drama, let’s look at the good stuff — because, believe it or not, there’s a lot of it.

The Good: USAID Saves Lives (A Lot of Them)

1. Public Health: Taking on the World’s Deadliest Killers

USAID has been one of the mightiest forces in fighting disease worldwide.

• HIV/AIDS (PEPFAR Program): The US took one look at the AIDS crisis in Africa and said, “We should probably do something.” Enter PEPFAR, a USAID-backed program that has kept over 20 million people alive with antiretroviral treatment.
• Malaria (President’s Malaria Initiative — PMI): USAID has helped cut malaria deaths in half in many African countries by handing out millions of bed nets and funding treatments.
• Ebola (West Africa, 2014–2016): When Ebola hit West Africa, USAID was on the ground faster than you can say “quarantine,” pouring $2.4 billion into stopping the outbreak.

Basically, if a disease is threatening to turn into a horror movie plot, USAID is probably there, throwing money, scientists, and medical supplies at the problem.

2. Disaster Relief: The Global First Responder

When Mother Nature (or human stupidity) strikes, USAID shows up with a truckload of food, medical aid, and emergency funds.

• Haiti Earthquake (2010): After the devastating quake, USAID provided $1.3 billion in aid, helping 4.3 million people survive the aftermath.

• Ukraine War (2022-Present): USAID has thrown over $15 billion at humanitarian aid, keeping Ukraine’s economy afloat and its citizens fed during Russia’s invasion while also staving off the potential for Putin to try taking all of Europe.

• Pakistan Floods (2022): When 33 million people were affected by floods, USAID delivered $97 million in emergency aid, preventing an even bigger catastrophe.

If there’s a disaster, USAID is usually there — sometimes faster than the local government.

For those who are uninitiated: disasters lead to further problems that spread. They lead to migrant crises, environmental concerns, desperation, crime, contagions, and so much more. Imagine all of the apocalyptic movies you’ve ever watched coming together to form a super flick. If the US wants to continue to be a global leader, they have to be a global force. That’s just how it goes.

3. Food Security: Preventing Famines, One Shipment at a Time

USAID doesn’t just hand out food — it tries to fix food systems so people don’t starve in the first place.

• Feed the Future Initiative: Helped small farmers in countries like Bangladesh increase rice production by 20%, because hungry people don’t care about politics — they just want to eat.
• Famine Prevention (Horn of Africa, 2011 & 2022): USAID stepped in with over $1 billion in food aid for Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya when droughts and conflict threatened millions with starvation.

It’s basically the world’s biggest (and sometimes most controversial) food delivery service.

4. Education: Teaching the World … One Classroom at a Time

USAID believes education is key — especially for girls and marginalized communities.

• Afghanistan Girls’ Education (2001–2021): Before the Taliban shut things down, USAID had helped educate 3.5 million Afghan girls, doubling female literacy rates.
• Read Liberia Program: Gave 60,000 Liberian children books and teacher support to improve literacy rates.

It’s not Hogwarts, but it’s giving millions of kids a shot at a better future, and more bright minds moving in the direction of better is never a bad thing.

5. Economic Growth: Powering Up Developing Countries

USAID doesn’t just do handouts — it funds long-term growth.

• Power Africa Initiative: Brought electricity to 152 million people, because life is tough when you can’t charge your phone or run a business. Think about your life without electricity. Really think it through. Sucks, huh?
• Microfinance for Women Entrepreneurs: Helped millions of women start businesses and become financially independent, proving that economic empowerment isn’t just for Wall Street.

The Controversy: USAID’s Less-Than-Perfect Track Record

Of course, it’s not all sunshine and humanitarian victories. USAID has some baggage, and critics aren’t shy about pointing it out.

1. Is It Humanitarian Aid or a Political Tool?

Some argue that USAID doesn’t just hand out aid — it picks sides in global politics.

• In Venezuela, Bolivia, and Cuba, USAID has been accused of funding opposition groups to undermine governments the US doesn’t like. Whether that is right or not depends on why the US doesn’t like them. If they’re funding opposition groups to stop the government from rape and pillage, okay. If they’re funding opposition groups to gain financially … not okay.
• In the Middle East, some see USAID programs as a way to push US interests under the guise of “development.” I totally believe this is happening, but then again, I don’t believe ultruistic deeds are possible so I think this happens with literally everything humans do.

2. Wasted Money and Corruption

Not every USAID dollar is well spent. Some projects suffer from bureaucracy, corruption, and inefficiency.

• In Afghanistan, millions were lost to corrupt contractors and poorly planned projects. This is the nature of business, but I would have hoped the government could avoid it. Turns out … they can’t handle pandemics or mismanagement.
• Some food aid programs have actually hurt local farmers, making them dependent on U.S. imports. Unintended consequences exist. I haven’t seen any evidence this was purposefully, but we as a people need to let go of the notion that anything we do will be perfect. It’s silly and childish thinking.

3. Intelligence Operations?

Every so often, USAID gets caught looking a little too much like the CIA with a clipboard.

• ZunZuneo (Cuba, 2014): USAID secretly funded a fake Cuban Twitter to stir anti-government activism. Because apparently, nothing says “freedom” like social media manipulation. Gross.

4. Daddy Trump and Uncle Elon

Donald Trump claimed that USAID spent $50 million on condoms for Hamas in Gaza, a statement echoed by his Karen of a press secretary.

However, investigations found no evidence of such funding. USAID records show that in 2023, only Gaza in Jordan received contraceptive aid, totalling just $45,000 … and no, condoms weren’t a part of that sum. Humanitarian groups operating in Gaza (for the people in the back … IN JORDAN) confirmed that US funds were used for essential healthcare, not contraception. Good lord.

Now what about Politico? In a plot twist worthy of a political thriller, USAID found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump administration again, accused of funnelling millions to media outlets like Politico.

The reality? Those “payments” were standard government subscriptions to news services, not clandestine bribes for favourable coverage. But why let facts get in the way of a good scandal, eh? The administration swiftly moved to cancel these subscriptions, perhaps hoping to save taxpayers from the perils of well-informed officials.

5. Intelligence Operations?

I expect every government program to have some level of intelligence apparatus but there is a big difference between collecting valuable information to better the world and manipulating to nefarious ends. This should be taken to open session for debate. I categorically stand against any intelligence operations that brought harm or destabilization.

So, Is USAID a Hero or a Villain?

Honestly? It’s complicated. USAID saves millions of lives, fights diseases, prevents famines, and builds economies. But it also has its fair share of political baggage, inefficiencies, and ethical dilemmas.

At the end of the day, USAID is likely that rich, well-meaning friend who always picks up the tab but sometimes expects a favour in return. Whether you see it as a force for good or just another tool of US foreign policy depends on where you stand.

But one thing’s for sure — when disaster strikes, people aren’t asking, “Is USAID ethical?” They’re just grateful the help arrived.

So, where do I stand? Well, government overreach, corruption, and mismanagement of funds is well documented. While I do support reform, my tool of choice is a scalpel (not a chainsaw) because a program can be both good and bad, which requires true reform, not a gutting, Saw style.

USAID is just like every other government program — bloated like Peter Griffin but ultimately there is some muscle underneath.

I do not agree with the way the Trump administration has handled the agency. Instead, each person and program should have been assessed and cuts made where the greater good is not the end game.

Much like many things the Trump administration is doing, they seem more interested in chaos and headlines than actually leaving the world a better place than they found it … a goal completely against my values.

It is important to know that the positives of the program are well documented, while many of the negatives are circumstantial or downright lies. So, in general, I support USAID but also support measured reform of any government program.