The U.S. Department of State has defended its disaster response capabilities, asserting that the closure of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)—the world's largest foreign aid agency—did not compromise the nation's effectiveness in handling humanitarian crises like the one caused by Hurricane Melissa, which inflicted damage across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Bahamas.
This powerful hurricane served as the first significant test for the new foreign aid model introduced by Donald Trump's administration following the official dismantling of USAID in July 2025.
“Critics warned that shutting down USAID would be disastrous. They were wrong,” stated Tommy Pigott, the Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State, in an interview with ABC News. He emphasized that the new model allows for “a swift and coordinated response, guided by regional experts and aligned with U.S. diplomatic goals.”
Washington's "Efficient" Model
The elimination of USAID, a move heavily criticized by governments and humanitarian organizations, was presented by the Trump administration as part of a "government efficiency reform." Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision, stating that USAID had become “a symbol of inefficient spending.”
“This era of governmental inefficiency is over,” he declared in July. “Americans should not be taxed to support failed governments in distant lands.”
Since then, the agency's responsibilities have been absorbed by the Department of State, which now directly coordinates humanitarian aid through its regional bureaus. In the case of Hurricane Melissa, the response was led by the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, in collaboration with SOUTHCOM and the Department of Defense.
Limited Aid Amid Massive Devastation
Washington approved a $24 million aid package, allocating $12 million to Jamaica, $8.5 million to Haiti, $3 million to Cuba, and $500,000 to the Bahamas.
In partnership with the World Food Program (WFP), the United States delivered 5,000 food packages in Jamaica—enough for families of four—and 18 metric tons of emergency food supplies to Haiti.
Despite these efforts, the scale of the disaster remains vast. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Jamaica was the hardest hit, with up to 90% of buildings damaged in provinces like St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland. The country faces 4.8 million tons of debris obstructing roads and hindering access to hospitals, schools, and markets.
“Entire communities are surrounded by debris,” warned Kishan Khoday, UNDP Resident Representative. “Clearing it is critical to initiating recovery and restoring essential services.”
NGOs and Experts Warn of Deadly Consequences from USAID Closure
While the U.S. government insists that its new model is “efficient and strategic,” the impact of USAID's closure is being felt worldwide. A report from the Impact Metrics Dashboard and an article by former agency official and physician Atul Gawande, published in The New Yorker, estimate that the shutdown of USAID has already resulted in over 600,000 global deaths, mainly among children under five due to the suspension of health and nutrition programs.
“It was an unprecedented blow that turned American cooperation into a man-made public death machine,” wrote Gawande.
The report’s data indicate 198,000 adult deaths and 412,000 child deaths, at a rate of 88 deaths per hour, due to the interruption of programs targeting malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and child malnutrition. In the realm of malaria alone, there have been over seven million additional cases and 53,000 deaths due to lack of treatment.
In Kenya, the documentary Rovina's Choice depicts the human tragedy at the Kakuma refugee camp, where a 60% cut in food supplies has escalated malnutrition levels and overwhelmed local clinics.
From Global Cooperation to Diplomatic Control
Before its closure, USAID was responsible for maintaining health systems in war-torn countries, containing epidemic outbreaks, and reducing child and maternal mortality in dozens of nations.
An analysis published in The Lancet estimated that the agency saved over 92 million lives in two decades, at a cost of just $24 annually per American taxpayer.
The dismantling of the agency also included the elimination of monitoring systems and the dismissal of inspectors general, which, according to Gawande, aims to conceal the true extent of the damage.
Experts compare this opacity to the data censorship during Mao Zedong’s “Great Leap Forward,” when millions of deaths went unrecorded in official documents.
A Historic Setback in Health and Cooperation
Analysts warn that the consequences of USAID's closure will take years to fully measure, as many deaths from HIV, tuberculosis, or preventable diseases will manifest progressively.
The consensus among experts is that the decision has reversed decades of progress in public health and international cooperation, representing one of the greatest humanitarian catastrophes caused by political decision-making in peacetime.
Impact of USAID Closure on Global Health
How did the closure of USAID affect global health initiatives?
The closure of USAID has disrupted numerous health initiatives worldwide, leading to a significant increase in preventable diseases and deaths, particularly among children under five, due to the suspension of health and nutrition programs.
What was USAID’s role prior to its closure?
Before closing, USAID was instrumental in maintaining health systems in countries experiencing conflict, containing epidemic outbreaks, and reducing child and maternal mortality across numerous nations.
Why did the U.S. government decide to close USAID?
The Trump administration presented the closure of USAID as part of a broader government efficiency reform, arguing that the agency had become a symbol of inefficient spending.