Death, Sexual Violence and Human Trafficking: Fallout From U.S. Aid Withdrawal Hits the World’s Most Fragile Locations : Brett Murphy , Anna Maria Barry-Jester / ProPublica

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Summary

The Trump administration's abrupt withdrawal of U.S. foreign aid has led to destabilization in some of the world's most fragile regions. In Malawi's Dzaleka refugee camp, U.S. funding cuts to the World Food Programme have resulted in reduced food rations, leading to increased criminality, sexual violence, and human trafficking. Similar unrest has been reported in Kenya, where funding cuts led to violent protests and fatalities. Diplomatic cables warn that these aid reductions undermine anti-terrorism efforts and could empower extremist groups. Despite these warnings, the administration defends the cuts, stating that the U.S. cannot be responsible for feeding every person globally.

Quotes

• "It is devastating, but it’s not surprising." — Eric Schwartz, former State Department assistant secretary.

• "I struggle for adjectives to adequately describe the horror that this administration has visited on the world." — Eric Schwartz.

• "No one can reasonably expect the United States to be equipped to feed every person on earth." — State Department spokesperson.