Reimagine Aid, Don't Destroy It
As social scientists with decades of experience working in the field of global health and development, we deplore the recent decision by the Trump Administration to dismantle key US aid programs. This abrupt withdrawal threatens to exacerbate existing humanitarian crises and undercut the potential of future reforms. And while the international aid system is much larger than the contributions of any single country, the contributions of the US government to international development have been incredibly significant in terms of both monetary value and impact. The US has provided the largest single contribution of any country to foreign aid and investments for decades (Herre and Arrigada 2024; OECD 2025). The recent decisions made by the Trump Administration regarding US foreign assistance are an abdication of responsibility that has taken place without careful deliberation, due process, or transparency — and are already costing lives around the world, undermining in a matter of weeks sensitive development partnerships and trust that have taken years to create.