By 
The recent earthquake in Afghanistan exposed a chilling truth: the US’s drastic reduction in foreign aid is leaving vulnerable populations to suffer catastrophic consequences. As the earth shook, flattening homes in Afghanistan’s eastern mountains, many nearby health clinics had already been shuttered for months due to funding cuts. The death toll, initially estimated at 200, climbed tragically to over 2,200, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of this policy shift. Mushtaq Khan, a senior advisor for the International Rescue Committee, witnessed this firsthand, lamenting the closure of four clinics in the hardest-hit province, cutting off access to care for 60,000 people.
This year alone, the US cut nearly $1.8 billion in aid to Afghanistan, resulting in a projected 5 percent shrinkage of the country’s GDP. This translates to millions of Afghans deprived of food, shelter, and medical care. The stark contrast is evident when comparing the $55 million in aid provided after a 2022 earthquake to the complete absence of US aid this time. This isn’t an isolated incident; a similar lack of support was seen in Myanmar following a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in March. The US response involved a mere three aid workers, who were then fired shortly after arriving.
The efficient global disaster response system, once well-oiled by US involvement, has ground to a halt. The swift, coordinated efforts of NGOs, UN agencies, and foreign governments, which included rapid deployment of specialized US search and rescue teams, are now hampered by a lack of funding and logistical support. Jeremy Konyndyk, former head of USAID’s disaster assistance branch, highlights the erosion of trust and the collapse of the previously efficient system. The long-term infrastructure projects, crucial for effective disaster relief, have been severely neglected.
The consequences are devastating. The Taliban’s pleas for help after the earthquake, and the desperate calls from Sudan after a deadly landslide, fell on deaf ears in many Western nations. While some countries like the EU, China, India, and the UK offered assistance, the absence of the US is undeniably impacting response efforts. The cancellation of emergency transport contracts for US search and rescue teams adds insult to injury, rendering even the remaining resources virtually unusable. The USAID subagency responsible for global disaster logistics has been absorbed into a smaller office, further hindering its effectiveness.
This isn’t just about Afghanistan or Sudan; the worldwide retreat in funding for lifesaving development programs is making every disaster deadlier. Patricia McIlreavy, head of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, emphasizes the loss of capacity, expertise, and trust, warning of dire long-term consequences. The cuts are not just financial; they represent a loss of human connection and a failure to uphold the basic human impulse to support one another in times of crisis. While individual donations are vital, they cannot replace the crucial infrastructure and coordinated response previously provided by the US. The situation highlights the urgent need for a renewed commitment to global cooperation and disaster preparedness, recognizing that natural disasters know no borders and that the world’s most vulnerable populations depend on international support for survival. The hope that help will come is a fundamental human need, and its erosion is a catastrophic failure of the global community.
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