Devex Pro Insider: Fireworks at the State Department, but not the festive kind

On July Fourth, Americans celebrated their Independence Day with fireworks and cookouts. But a few days earlier, on July 1, America’s foreign policy community was not exactly in a celebratory mood. That’s the day USAID was formally absorbed into the State Department. I’ve heard it called everything from a “merger” to a “hostile takeover.” Whatever you want to call it, the day was an important chapter in USAID’s demise. “A sad day” is how Susan Reichle, a former USAID counselor, described it during a July 1 Devex Pro Briefing. “But we’ve had many of those throughout our years at USAID, and always it’s given us perspective and it’s given us strength, and I think that captures very much how people are feeling within USAID. That this is a very difficult time — 63 years of investments that have been made on a bipartisan basis from one administration to another [lost],” she said. Another difficulty? ”The lack of clarity at the State Department about how they are going to absorb these [USAID] capacities, these lifesaving programs,” she said, noting that the department will only have 718 people from USAID, “less than 6% of its workforce to manage these programs, which are critical, not just for their lifesaving work, but because it is the face of the United States in many of these countries.” That’s not the only problem the State Department has on its hands. Plans are in the works to fire 2,000 of its own staff, leaving the department even more strapped for workforce during a major restructuring. An “impending train wreck” is how Jim Kunder, former acting USAID deputy administrator, described the situation at the State Department during the Devex Pro Briefing. “Where is this headed in the next year or two? I noted earlier that the next [U.S.] election is 489 days from today. In my view, the world will look dramatically different from a policy point of view two years from now than it does today, because people are going to realize … what we’re losing and how our opponents are taking advantage of it,” he said. “How can we rebuild what is being stupidly lost today?” Also in today’s edition: U.S. assistance gets a rebrand, a Hollywood star gets real, and the public doesn’t get aid budgets. Bits and pieces Brand and deliver. The State Department may be pulling back on its workforce, but it’s plowing ahead with a bold new “America First” rebrand, ditching dozens of logos in favor of one unified symbol: the American flag. “The redesign is very simple,” said Darren Beattie, acting undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs, adding that it’s meant to “recenter and re-anchor the visual identity” of U.S. efforts abroad. The change comes as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pushes through a massive agency overhaul — cutting jobs, consolidating over 300 offices, and ending USAID’s foreign assistance role. “If we’re contributing something great overseas,” said Beattie, “we want that … to be immediately visually distinguished.” Toxic waste. Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski are urging Rubio to stop the planned destruction of over $9 million worth of family planning supplies meant for women in crisis zones. “This action would be a waste of U.S. taxpayer dollars as well as an abdication of U.S. global leadership,” they wrote in a statement, noting that U.S. family planning assistance help prevent 8.1 million unintended pregnancies and 34,000 maternal deaths each year. The senators added: “The Administration has offered no justification for why millions of dollars of already-purchased commodities should go to waste.” Buddy system. The Inter-American Development Bank and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development just inked a deal to help more countries get OECD-ready — or go all the way to membership. The IDB will offer financial and technical support, from investment policy reviews to public sector training and innovation strategies. “This agreement expands the IDB’s role in supporting Latin America and the Caribbean countries that are engaging with the OECD,” said IDB President Ilan Goldfajn. OECD chief Mathias Cormann called it a “step further” in a long-standing partnership already producing cutting-edge work on governance and development. ‘People will lose their lives.’ Actor Charlize Theron didn’t hold back at her annual Africa Outreach Program Block Party, calling out Trump-era foreign aid cuts she says have devastated HIV and AIDS programs in South Africa. “Foreign aid cuts brought HIV and AIDS programs in my home country … to an absolute standstill,” she said. “Many [lives have been lost] already, unfortunately, and at a frightening rate.” Without naming U.S. President Donald Trump directly, she blasted USAID cuts, immigration raids, rising gender-based violence, and attacks on LGBTQ+ rights: “This isn’t just policy, it’s personal. F--- them.” Still, she ended on a hopeful note, calling for protest, care, and action. Going in the wrong direction. Sweeping foreign aid cuts — especially from the United States — could lead to millions more people fleeing their homes next year, the Danish Refugee Council warns in a new analysis. Using an AI model built with IBM, the council projects up to 7.85 million new displacements in 2025 if current funding trends continue. “These devastating cuts threaten to unravel years of hard-won progress,” said DRC Secretary-General Charlotte Slente. “When funding is suddenly cut, lifelines are cut.” The U.S. alone has terminated 83% of its aid contracts, with ripple effects hitting already fragile countries such as Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan. While some nations are stepping up, DRC says it's not nearly enough to fill the growing gap. What you can buy for 18 cents. The Trump administration officially shuttered USAID, claiming the agency “has little to show since the end of the Cold War.” But a new Lancet study says otherwise: Researchers estimate USAID programs have saved over 91 million lives since 2001, especially from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and neglected diseases. "For that small amount, we've been able to translate that into saving up to 90 million deaths around the world," says UCLA’s James Macinko, noting the average taxpayer chipped in just 18 cents a day. If cuts continue, the study warns that up to 19 million more lives could be lost by 2030. Go figure. After the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, or FfD4, in Sevilla, Spain, wrapped up and the flood of million-dollar pledges began, here’s your friendly reminder from public engagement researchers: The public struggles to understand funding announcements. In its latest U.K. survey, the Development Engagement Lab found that 51% didn’t know how much is spent on aid, and telling them the budget had already been significantly cut made no difference. Big numbers don’t impress — they overwhelm. That doesn’t mean aid is unpopular, just that huge sums alone don’t move people. So what does? Clear examples of lives changed. Relatable stories, especially on climate. And basic needs such as water, food, health, and education. In short: Make it human. In memoriam Charles “Charlie” MacCormack, a visionary humanitarian and global development leader, died on May 22 at age 83. Best known as the long-time president and CEO of Save the Children US, MacCormack helped turn the organization into a global force, launching Save the Children International and expanding programs to more than 50 countries. Earlier, he led the organizations World Learning and the School for International Training and held key roles with the United Nations, Brookings Institution, InterAction, and Malaria No More. He was an advocate for global citizenship, foreign aid, and children's rights. Richard Boucher, a U.S. diplomat, communications professional, and the longest-serving assistant secretary for public affairs at the State Department, passed away on June 27 at age 73. Over six secretaries of state, he became a trusted voice of U.S. foreign policy and a mentor to many. He left behind more than a legacy. He left a one-page document called “Richard Boucher’s Words of Wisdom,” which became a go-to guide for government spokespeople and a quiet manifesto for how to lead with humility, empathy, and clarity in a world full of noise. Moving on VillageReach has named Dr. Ahmed Ogwell, a seasoned public health expert with over 30 years of experience spanning national and global roles, as its CEO. He was most recently vice president for global health strategy at the U.N. Foundation and previously served as deputy director-general of Africa CDC. “We are at a crucial moment where we must tackle the multifaceted challenges of global health,” Ogwell said. “I am honored to join VillageReach at this critical time to confront these issues and achieve our 2030 goals.” Dr. Mohamed Janabi officially steps into his new role as the World Health Organization’s Africa regional director. He will lead efforts to advance HealthForAll across 47 countries on the continent. George Elombi will take the helm of Afreximbank as president and board chair in September, succeeding professor Benedict Oramah. A Cameroonian national, Elombi has been with the bank since 1996 and currently serves as executive vice president for governance, legal, and corporate services. “I see Afreximbank as a force for industrialising Africa and for regaining the dignity of Africans wherever they are,” he said. Jean Pesme was named the World Bank’s new division director for Bangladesh and Bhutan. A seasoned development expert and engineer by training, Pesme brings experience in financial systems, resilience, and inclusive growth — most recently serving as the bank’s global director for finance. “Bangladesh has unique development experiences to share with the world,” he said. “This is a country that has repeatedly surprised the world with its development innovation, determination, and resilience to tackle pressing development and economic challenges.” After more than 20 years at WHO, Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall takes the helm at Institut Pasteur Dakar. He reflected on a career spent fighting epidemics, tackling neglected diseases, and strengthening health systems across Africa and the world. “One of my greatest satisfactions has been being able to foster young leaders … who today make me proud,” he wrote on LinkedIn. His final act at WHO? Certifying Senegal’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem — an “exceptional” parting gift. “This is not a departure from global health,” he said, “but a continuation of the same mission from a different station.” AVPN has appointed Achal Agarwal as the new chair of its board. He succeeds Veronica Colondam, who led the board from 2021. “This is a time of tremendous momentum for the impact sector in Asia. … AVPN is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change.” Based in Singapore, Agarwal brings decades of leadership experience from Kimberly-Clark, PepsiCo, and WWF Singapore. Heather K. Gerken, dean of Yale Law School and an expert in constitutional law, will become president of the Ford Foundation this November, taking the reins from Darren Walker after his 12-year tenure. Gerken said she looked forward to working at the foundation “to protect democracy and the rule of law and further our mission to create a more just and fair world for everyone.” The move puts Gerken at the helm of one of the world’s most powerful philanthropies — one that’s become a lightning rod for critics but a lifeline for hundreds of civic, cultural, and justice organizations. After 35 years, Peter Madigan is stepping down from the board of the International Republican Institute. He praised IRI’s work in “the world’s most dangerous places” and criticized congressional efforts to gut democracy funding. “Congress is not about fiscal discipline. It’s strategic malpractice,” he wrote on LinkedIn, warning that cuts to IRI, the National Endowment for Democracy, and U.S. soft power writ large “will embolden [China], empower the Kremlin, and ultimately cost us more.” His parting shot? “Ronald Reagan would be ashamed of what now passes for Republican foreign policy.” Nigeria named Dr. Ayoade Alakija as ministerial global envoy on antimicrobial resistance ahead of the 2026 AMR conference in Abuja. With AMR projected to kill over 10 million people annually by 2050 — many in Africa — Alakija will lead global and domestic efforts to keep diagnostics, equity, and “One Health” at the center of the response. Up next RSTMH annual meeting 2025. The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene is hosting its annual meeting with the theme “AI in Global Health: Ethics, Equity and Innovation” from Sept. 25 to 26 in London. Expect two packed days of plenaries, panels, and career sessions exploring how AI is reshaping global health — from prevention to treatment. Your week ahead. Coming off the buzz from Sevilla, we’re keeping the momentum going with a week of exclusive Devex Pro Briefings you don’t want to miss: • Tomorrow, July 7, the Segal Family Foundation unpacks its trust-based grantmaking model. Save your spot now. • On Wednesday, July 9, experts will explore the future of outcomes-based finance post-Sevilla. Register for this event. • We’ll be meeting the GSR Foundation — where crypto, tech, and development intersect — on July 10. Sign up to be part of this event. • And to round out this supercharged week, on July 11, we’ll have the pleasure of chatting with both co-CEOs of the Jacobs Foundation, who will share their bold approach to funding education. Don’t miss out — register now.