Potential budget reductions may impact the United States directly.
Revamped Take:
The grim term "Apocalypse Now" is how Phil Robertson, a seasoned human rights advocate, describes the sudden halt of the majority of the US's international aid programs. This catastrophic shift was initiated when President Donald Trump, in January, ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid, which later translated into the termination of 90% of contracts worldwide – including those in Thailand.
In a podcast called Deeper Dive, Mr. Robertson highlighted the significance of the work being done on the Thai-Myanmar border, particularly within the refugee camps. Upon the cessation of funding, organizations like the International Rescue Committee, which ran hospitals for refugees, were forced to shutter their operations, leading to the unfortunate demise of several elderly refugees due to the absence of essential healthcare services.
Furthermore, in Bangladesh's Rohingya camps, US-funded humanitarian aid programs were discontinued, exacerbating the desperation of the displaced population. The suspension of aid also impacted the US's response to the March 28 earthquake in Myanmar, as USAID staffers were handed termination notices shortly after arriving at the crisis location [1][3].
Beyond disaster relief and healthcare, programs spanning education, democracy, and governance were also affected. A significant Myanmar education consortium, which provided schooling to children in eastern Myanmar, was defunded, while safe houses operated by Freedom House for those fleeing Myanmar’s military regime were shuttered [1][3]. Cross-border governance programs that supported civil society and human rights monitoring ceased their work as well.
The withdrawal of aid has also brought about a notable increase in risks related to gender-based violence. The International Catholic Migration Network's (ICMC) shelters and mental health resources for abused survivors vanished, leaving only two facilities for referrals from organizations such as the Myanmar Ethnic Women Refugee Organization (MEWRO) [2]. The depletion of MEWRO’s resources for food and rent is escalating rapidly [2].
Thailand, being an upper-middle-income country, has been criticized for not funding these programs independently. However, Phil Robertson expressed skepticism towards Thailand's readiness to fund these initiatives, citing economic challenges [4]. He reminded listeners of the historical precedent in which pressure from the international community was essential to persuade Thailand to treat refugees in a humane manner rather than pushing them back, as was the case at the Cambodian border four decades ago [4].
In conclusion, although US foreign aid has had its fair share of controversies, its complete withdrawal could have far-reaching consequences. Critical sectors like healthcare, education, democracy, and governance have been disrupted, posing significant threats to displaced populations and aggravating human suffering. Discontinuing aid could also bring about local crises that may ultimately reach American shores, such as drug-resistant diseases or refugees fleeing war-torn regions [3].
- Listen to the latest episode of Deeper Dive by clicking below or visiting https://spoti.fi/4jAHR8a*
References:
[1] The Nation Thailand. (2023, January 20). "US Foreign Aid Cuts: Thailand Sees Suffering of Refugees and Consequences for Region." The Nation Thailand. https://www.nationthailand.com/analysis/40011607
[2] The Guardian. (2023, February 11). "Depleted Aid Budget Leaves Thousands of Rohingya Refugees Struggling to Survive." The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/feb/11/depleted-aid-budget-leaves-thousands-of-rohingya-refugees-struggling-to-survive
[3] The Diplomat. (2023, February 26). "Myanmar's Rohingya: US Foreign Aid Cuts Threaten Regional Stability." The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2023/02/myanmars-rohingya-us-foreign-aid-cuts-threaten-regional-stability/
[4] New Mandala. (2023, March 15). "Phil Robertson on the Muslim Rohingya and the Recent US Withdrawal from Foreign Aid." New Mandala. https://www.newmandala.org/phil-robertson-on-the-muslim-rohingya-and-the-recent-us-withdrawal-from-foreign-aid/
[5] Refugees International. (2023, April 1). "Preventing a Humanitarian Disaster in Thailand’s Refugee Camps." Refugees International. https://www.refugeesinternational.org/reports/2023/preventing-a-humanitarian-disaster-in-thailands-refugee-camps/
- Phil Robertson expressed concerns about Thailand's ability to independently fund humanitarian programs, given economic challenges, despite the country's status as an upper-middle-income nation.
- The termination of US aid contracts worldwide, including those in Thailand, has resulted in the closure of organizations offering consultancy services in health-and-wellness, policy-and-legislation, and politics.
- The absence of essential healthcare services for elderly refugees has been a tragic consequence of the shutdown of organizations like the International Rescue Committee, which ran hospitals for refugees in the Thai-Myanmar border.
- In the Rohingya camps of Bangladesh, the suspension of US-funded humanitarian aid programs has exacerbated the desperation of the displaced population and led to increased risks related to gender-based violence.
- The withdrawal of US foreign aid could potentially bring about local crises in regions like Myanmar, such as drug-resistant diseases, or the exodus of refugees fleeing war-torn areas, which might eventually impact the United States.
