In a recent interview with the “Rheinische Post”, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Svenja Schulze, expressed concerns over the potential risks of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) halting its development aid programs. According to Schulze, the consequences of such a move would be twofold, affecting not only the world’s poorest populations but also Europe.
Schulze emphasized the importance of vaccination programs, stating that the withdrawal of USAID funding would lead to the resurgence of preventable diseases globally, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, where the virus did not respect national borders. The minister also highlighted the significant gap that the US would leave in the global aid landscape, which neither Germany nor the European Union could fill.
Regarding the recent suspension of USAID payments, coinciding with an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, Schulze expressed her shock at the lack of consideration for human life and the potential spread of highly infectious diseases. The minister’s comments underscore the potential far-reaching consequences of the USAID’s decision, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.