EA Forum Podcast (Curated & popular) The catastrophic situation with USAID just got worse - why the EA community should care
If you don’t typically engage with politics/government, this is the time to do so. If you are American and/or based in the U.S., reaching out to lawmakers, supporting organizations that are mobilizing on this issue, and helping amplify the urgency of this crisis can make a difference.
Why this matters:
- Millions of lives are at stake
- Decades of progress, and prior investment, in global health and wellbeing are at risk
- Government funding multiplies the impact of philanthropy
Where things stand today (February 27, 2025)
The Trump Administration's foreign aid freeze has taken a catastrophic turn: rather than complying with a court order to restart paused funding, they have chosen to terminate more than 90% of all USAID grants and contracts. This stunningly reckless decision comes just 30 days into a supposed 90-day review of foreign aid. This will cause a devastating loss of life.
Even beyond the immediate [...]
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Outline:
(00:45) Where things stand today (February 27, 2025)
(03:22) Some of the few lifesaving programs that were terminated are:
(04:42) Why this matters for the future of global health & wellbeing
(06:56) Your action and engagement is needed NOW
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First published:
February 27th, 2025
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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.