USAID kept them alive - then Trump's cuts came

Kajol, a 17-year-old from the slum area of Mohammadpur in Dhaka, Bangladesh, faced life-threatening tuberculosis (TB) in January. However, thanks to a local initiative funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), she received life-saving treatment. This initiative provided TB testing, medicines, and nutrition for free. Unfortunately, after the Trump administration ordered cuts to USAID funding in February, Kajol's treatment was abruptly halted, risking drug-resistant TB.

The U.S. government has slashed its aid to Bangladesh, including its funding for healthcare programs like TB treatment, which previously helped save thousands of lives. In 2023, USAID's support helped identify and treat over 250,000 TB cases. With funding cut from $500 million in 2024 to just $71 million, local programs like Nari Maitree are struggling, leaving communities like Kajol’s without vital assistance.

The impact of these cuts is felt across the country, including in Cox's Bazar, where the Rohingya refugees depend heavily on international aid. With vital support dwindling, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. Without sufficient resources, many are left without healthcare and basic needs, putting their lives at risk.

This aid reduction threatens both health programs and critical support for vulnerable populations in Bangladesh, including refugees and low-income communities.