International Center for Diarrhea Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) and BRAC, CARE, along with many NGOs, are in extreme cirses due to USAID funding suspension. The organizations have said that they are unable to take any final decision right now and are monitoring the situation.
In particular, several projects of ICDDR,B, which have become the trust of the people of Bangladesh, are currently funded by USAID. The organization has already served notices of dismissal to more than a thousand employees. It is known that the dismissed employees will be entitled to salaries and allowances as prescribed in international law.
ICDDR,B Senior Manager (Communications) AKM Tariful Islam Khan told Barta24.com, "We have suspended the projects and research conducted with their funding until further notice as per the instructions of the US government. We express our sympathy and regret for the inconvenience caused to our service recipients, various partners and colleagues. We hope to be able to resume our activities.
He declined to provide information on how many projects were being funded by USAID and how many employees were laid off due to strategic reasons.
However, it has been learned from various sources that out of the nearly 150 ongoing projects in the organization, about 10 projects were being funded directly by USAID. Funds for some other projects used to come to ICDDR,B through other channels.
The most critical situation is being seen with the organization's National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP). If it is suddenly stopped, what will happen to those whose treatment is ongoing? The project is facing difficult questions like how will their next dose of medicine be provided. The extremely poor people in remote areas are getting free medicines through this project. What will happen to those patients who cannot afford to buy them?
A report published by ICDDR,B says that more than 35,000 people die of tuberculosis in Bangladesh every year. 44,000 people died in 2020, which is more than the number killed in the terrible corona pandemic.
The death toll figures were obtained from hospital sources. Many patients die in remote areas, the cause of which remains unknown. That is why there is concern about tuberculosis considering the number of deaths. ICDDR, B was providing free medicines and prescriptions to cure that disease. Now the big complication is that many patients are in the middle of their treatment. What will happen if they do not come to get the medicine next month? What will happen to the target of making Bangladesh tuberculosis-free by 2035!
On the other hand, BRAC and CARE receive the most funding among the NGOs operating in Bangladesh. There are many other NGOs like BRAC and CARE that are heavily dependent on USAID funding. There is complete uncertainty about the future of many of their ongoing projects.
When I went to the head office of CARE Bangladesh (Rawa Center) located in Mohakhali, no one agreed to talk. It was not even possible to meet anyone from the communication department. Admin Support Officer Khaleda Akhter, who was in the reception room, told Barta24.com that talking about USAID issues is prohibited. The country director has forbidden direct speech. That is why no one can speak. If you want to get any opinion, you have to mail them.
Later, they did not receive any response even after mailing them.
On the other hand, when BRAC's Lead External Communications Mamunul Haque was called, he gave a brief official message from BRAC. The written message said, we are unable to comment on the situation that has arisen. We will let you know after seeing the overall situation.
However, the authorities are not worried about the various diagnostic centers of ICDDR, B. This sector of ICDDR, B, which has become the most reliable and trusted symbol for various tests for patients in Bangladesh, is completely profitable. After covering operating expenses from income, there is a surplus. The organization ensures the financing of the treatment of admitted patients with that money. The hospital located in Mohakhali is probably the only hospital in Bangladesh that does not turn away any diarrhea patient. They are admitted as soon as they reach the hospital, and if necessary, they have been providing treatment by setting up temporary sheds in the corridors and fields.
The hospital has the highest number of tests with International Standards (ISO) certification. It has received ISO certification for about 700 tests in 180 parameters. This is limited to a maximum of 10 in other hospitals in Bangladesh. Due to quality, many patients go to ICDDR, B to be completely sure even if they get tested in other hospitals.
In 1961, the then US President John F. Kennedy established USAID. The organization has about 10,000 officials and employees. The total amount of US foreign aid is 68 billion dollars. Of this, about 40 billion dollars is allocated for USAID alone.
Immediately after taking office for the second time in the US, Donald Trump suspended assistance to the International Development Agency USAID. His new administration wants to merge the organization with the US State Department. Officials have been instructed not to go to the USAID headquarters in Washington. The organization's website has already been closed. Trump said at a press conference at the White House, 'The radical leftist lunatics run USAID. The agency was getting away with massive fraud. The US provides billions of dollars in aid to the world through the agency. The decision to suspend this aid was called "illegal and unconstitutional".Opposition Democratic Party lawmakers have called it "unconstitutional." According to them, it will harm poor people in various countries, undermine US national security, and reduce US influence on the global stage.