A new study published Monday warns that the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) could result in over 14 million additional global deaths by 2030, including 4.5 million children under age five. The findings were released just before Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed USAID would shut down under an executive order from Donald Trump.
The study attributes projected deaths primarily to cuts in maternal health, disease prevention, and food aid, especially in Nigeria and Uganda. The collapse of malaria-control efforts in those countries alone could cause over 100,000 deaths in one year.
Former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush condemned the decision, with Obama calling it “a tragedy.”
Rubio defended the move, claiming the agency failed its development goals and fueled anti-American sentiment. However, the study credits USAID with preventing 91 million deaths and reducing mortality from HIV/AIDS, malaria, and malnutrition by up to 65%.
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