Devex Pro Insider: Is the USAID-State merger a collision? And not even Wilson is safe from Trump’s ax

We’re staying on top of the dissolution, evolution, evisceration — whatever you want to call it — of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which is on its way to being formally absorbed by the State Department. Now that the Trump administration has presented a plan to Congress outlining the contours of the merger and the abolishment of USAID’s independence, we turned to a bipartisan group of experts for an in-depth analysis of what it all means. Hint: There is some rationale as to the “why” of the merger, but lots of questions over the “how.” For others, though, the “why” doesn’t make much sense given the fundamental differences between diplomacy and development. Check out the debate here. Meanwhile, tiny aid-adjacent agencies haven’t escaped the attention of the administration, but they’re doing what they can to punch above their weight and fight back, with mixed results. The latest blow: hundreds of terminated grants and dozens of fired staff at the U.S. African Development Foundation — despite ongoing litigation. The dismantling campaign has also spread to the Wilson Center, long a pillar of nonpartisan foreign policy thinking in Washington, D.C. Under an executive order from President Donald Trump and with the help of Elon Musk’s government overhaul task force, the center has been stripped to its bare statutory minimum. Nearly all staff have been placed on leave, programming canceled, and even its president — former Republican Rep. and Trump-appointed USAID chief Mark Green — is out. The closure has sparked outrage from the diplomatic and policy community. “It is unbelievable to me the intolerance, ignorance, and idiocy of the move to shut down the Wilson Center,” wrote former U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Erica Barks Ruggles. She pointed to the center’s decades-long role in shaping smart, evidence-based discussion on everything from Arctic governance to trade in Asia. Founded in 1968 as a memorial to President Woodrow Wilson, the center now faces an uncertain future — including the fate of its Cold War archives and international fellows, some of whom are at risk in their home countries. Also in today’s edition: The U.S. pressures FAO to shift its focus, the crisis in Yemen is worsening, and U.S. funding for malaria control delivers results. Coming up: With the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings around the corner, what will the Trump administration do next? Join us on April 16 for an exclusive conversation with Rep. French Hill, Republican chair of the House Financial Services Committee, to hear his inside take on what Congress and the administration may expect from the World Bank — including his push to lift the bank’s ban on nuclear energy. Register now for the event. This is exclusively for Pro members. Also, President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the World Health Organization has left it reeling. Join Senior Health Reporter Jenny Lei Ravelo on April 15 for WHO is in crisis: Can reforms help it survive and even flourish? to examine the fate of the U.N. agency. Register now for this Pro event. Bits and pieces Sneak peek: With aid money in short supply, tomorrow we’re launching a comprehensive, must-read report looking at ways to diversify your funding strategy. We’ve analyzed strategies for securing funding from alternative government donors, accessing multilateral development banks, leveraging philanthropic capital, and engaging with innovative finance models. Get the first peek here. The figures don’t add up: Remember when it was just a "90-day pause?" asks Allyson Bear, president of public health consultancy VennHealth. Turns out, U.S. foreign aid is being pulverized — and we’re learning the hard way that America’s soft power came from being the world’s largest aid donor, though the U.S. wasn’t always as generous, comparatively speaking, as people think it was. Now, instead of "reviewing for alignment," we’re hearing Secretary of State Marco Rubio say: "Our resources are not unlimited. … China is a very rich country; India is a rich country. There are a lot of other countries in the world, and everyone should pitch in." But the numbers tell a different story: Even before the funding freeze, the average American gave just 16% of what Norwegians gave. Seventeen countries gave more aid per capita than the U.S. did — including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. And while the U.S. holds 30% of the world’s wealth, India holds just 3.4%. This cannot become the norm: “What will make a difference is if the tide of disrespect for international humanitarian law is turned.” That’s the urgent plea from Jagan Chapagain, secretary-general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in an opinion piece for The Guardian following the deaths of eight Palestine Red Crescent Society workers in Gaza, with one still missing. Their crushed ambulances were found buried in sand, the bodies of their teams still wearing Red Crescent vests — symbols meant to protect them, he said. “In life, those uniforms signalled their status as humanitarian workers. ... In death, those red vests became their shrouds,” Chapagain writes. He calls on governments to take responsibility, ensure independent investigations, and enforce consequences for those who target humanitarian workers, whether by intent or negligence. In 2023, 382 aid workers were killed. This year is already on a worse trajectory. Chapagain’s message is clear: Neutrality is a core Red Cross principle — but so is justice. Humanitarian workers are not collateral. “I am outraged. But I’m also tired of being outraged.” US pressures FAO to shift focus: At a council meeting in Rome, the Trump administration pushed the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to align with its “America First” agenda. The U.S. called for a return to FAO’s “core mandate,” rejecting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and a broad climate focus, and insisting the agency use language that “recognizes that women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.” With $317 million in U.S. funding gone, FAO has cut 106 projects and laid off 358 staff members. More cuts are expected. Aid freeze deepens Yemen’s crisis: Amnesty International says abrupt U.S. aid cuts are worsening Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, threatening the health and safety of millions. Over half the population relies on aid — much of it previously funded by the U.S., Yemen’s largest donor. The shutdown of U.S.-funded programs has halted malnutrition treatment, women’s shelters, and health care services. “We’ve been forced to make life and death decisions on little to no information,” one aid worker told Amnesty. The U.S. designation of the Houthis as a terrorist group has further disrupted aid delivery in areas where it’s most needed, it says. Last week, the Trump administration slashed programming to a slew of countries, including Afghanistan, Gaza, Haiti, and beyond. Then, the State Department admitted that most of the cuts were a mistake — "most" being the operative word. The cuts to Afghanistan and Yemen remain in place “based on concern that the funding was benefiting terrorist groups,” such as the Houthis and the Taliban. HIV services in freefall: The sudden stop of USAID-supported HIV programs has left vulnerable communities without essential support — treatment, testing, nutrition, and protection services are vanishing, according to GlobalGiving. More than 150 local organizations that were the backbone of these services now find themselves without funding and at risk of closure, says the nonprofit, which launched a fundraiser to help. GlobalGiving has identified 20 high-impact organizations, formerly USAID-funded, that need support to keep their doors open. Systems make change stick: A new report from the World Resources Institute highlights that individual lifestyle changes, such as adjusting diet, travel, and home energy, could theoretically eliminate one's carbon footprint. But without broader systemic support — such as more bike lanes or solar incentives — these changes only achieve about 10% of their potential emissions reductions. The study emphasizes the need for robust national policies and corporate actions to make sustainable choices more accessible. Stepping up for Ukrainian refugees: Upwardly Global, which advances workforce inclusion for immigrants and refugees, has expanded its partnership with the Information Society Development Foundation and Accenture to train and place 1,000 job seekers in Poland. The initiative has assisted over 1,500 Ukrainian refugees, primarily women, in gaining skills and employment. With the U.S. reducing international aid, the partnership is intensifying its efforts in Poland, which has become a major refuge for those displaced by the ongoing war. Malaria aid pays off: New research from Oxford Economics found that U.S. funding for malaria control has delivered major economic returns — boosting gross domestic product in recipient countries by over $90 billion from 2003 to 2023. Over the past two decades, the U.S. invested $15.6 billion through the Global Fund and the President’s Malaria Initiative, helping to avert 646 million malaria cases. That investment generated a 5.8 times return in economic growth, highlighting how global health funding can fuel development. Countries benefiting from this funding include Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia — regions with some of the highest malaria burdens. Beyond health gains, the impact supports U.S. interests, too, by fostering stronger trade ties and global stability. Moving on Jonathan Fantini Porter is starting a new position as senior vice president at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. After four years at the Center for Global Development, Javier Guzman has ended his role there and is moving on to serve as chief of the health, nutrition, and population division at the Inter-American Development Bank. Dr. Natalia Kanem, head of the United Nations’ sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, is stepping down early — on July 15, my colleagues Vince Chadwick and Colum Lynch report. In a video message to her staff, she shared, "It's time to pass on the baton," referring to her tenure, which began in 2017. Her departure coincides with a tough time at the U.N., marked by significant U.S. funding cuts that have impacted UNFPA’s key programs worldwide. This year, the U.S. cut $377 million in grants, affecting essential health services and anti-violence campaigns across several crisis-stricken regions. Although a few projects received temporary funding, $330 million remains frozen, highlighting the challenges ahead for UNFPA. M. A. Keifer Buckingham began a new role this month as managing director at the Council for Global Equality. At a time when human rights, inclusive development, and global health are more important than ever, the council is poised to make a significant impact, Buckingham said. Alexandria J. Maloney has clinched a new position as 2025 Latimer Fellow at the Lewis Latimer Fellowship. After two years at the International Finance Corporation, Lamia Oualalou is beginning a new chapter as general manager of the EU Tax Observatory in Paris. The think tank is dedicated to researching the future of taxation, combating evasion, and developing concrete solutions to tackle inequality. Alix Peterson Zwane has taken a position as director for research engagement and strategy at the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. Up next Congressman French Hill: US policy and the World Bank. With the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings around the corner, what will the Trump administration do next? Join us for a Devex Pro briefing with Rep. French Hill, Republican chair of the House Financial Services Committee, to hear his inside take on what Congress and the administration may expect from the World Bank — including his push to lift the bank’s ban on nuclear energy. April 16. WHO is in crisis: Can reforms help it survive and even flourish? U.S. President Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the World Health Organization has left it reeling. Join Senior Health Reporter Jenny Lei Ravelo and Health Policy Watch Editor-in-Chief Elaine Fletcher during a Devex Pro briefing as they examine the fate of the U.N. agency. April 15. Inside Norfund’s business support. As development finance institutions play a larger role in tackling global challenges, technical assistance — or “business support” at Norfund — has become key to boosting investment outcomes and local capacity. In this Devex Pro briefing, Marianne Jønsberg, senior manager at Norfund, will explain how Norway’s DFI approaches business support — from funding and project selection to its focus areas. April 22.