It has come to light that USAID was among the nominees for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2026.
While the Prize was awarded to South Africa's Navi Pillay - a worthy recipient - it is interesting that USAID was nominated for it by two former Peace Prize recipients — Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia, supported by former Executive Directors of WFP, David Beasley and Catherine Bertini, as well as a Parliamentarian of Iceland.
It is notable that Beasley and Bertini are both prominent US Republicans.
The supporting documents attached to the nomination provide very strong testimony to USAID's contribution to food security, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, post-conflict reconstruction, global health, disease reduction, child survival, women's empowerment and many other endeavors worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize — without any overt criticism of its dismantling by the Trump administration.
Like all other organizations, USAID had its flaws, but its contribution to life-saving and life-enhancing global development was an immense net plus worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Very interesting! It is unlikely that this choice would have been welcomed by the current occupant of the White House.
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