The US government has officially canceled 83% of the programs administered by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), as announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

This decision follows a six-week review that identified approximately 5,200 contracts considered to have expended tens of billions of taxpayer dollars in ways that did not align with the core national interests of the United States.

The remaining contracts, approximately 1,000 in total, will be directly managed by the State Department.

This decision has met opposition from lawmakers who argue that it requires congressional approval.

This substantial reduction in USAID’s activities follows a directive from President Donald Trump, issued at the commencement of his second term on January 20, 2021, which mandated a 90-day suspension of all foreign aid.

The administration has described this suspension and the subsequent cuts as necessary actions against perceived wasteful government spending.

The review was overseen by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is led by Elon Musk.

The review process has resulted in significant staff reductions and contract terminations, raising concerns regarding the future of international assistance.

Humanitarian organizations have voiced alarm over the potential impacts of these cuts, particularly in regions experiencing severe crises, such as famine in the Democratic Republic of Congo and limited access to clean drinking water in Burkina Faso.

Experts suggest that these actions represent a historic change in US foreign policy, which traditionally supported international alliances through aid, now shifting towards an 'America First' paradigm.

The initiatives undertaken by DOGE are viewed as efforts to streamline government operations and curtail expenditures, consistent with the broader fiscal policies of the administration.

Rubio has publicly praised DOGE's role in executing these cancellations, while Musk has characterized the measure as 'tough, but necessary', arguing that the core functions of foreign aid should have been part of the State Department from the outset.

USAID, established in 1961, has played a crucial role in delivering humanitarian assistance to over 60 countries, utilizing contractors for various services such as disease prevention, famine relief, and disaster response.

In 2023, the budget of USAID was reported to exceed $40 billion, making it one of the largest contributors to global aid.

The implications of significantly dismantling USAID raise critical questions about the future of foreign assistance and its effects on vulnerable populations worldwide as global crises continue to unfold.