Potential budget reductions may have implications for the United States themselves.
Reborn from the Ashes: That's the grim metaphor veteran human rights advocate, Phil Robertson, uses to describe the chaos that followed the sudden shutdown of most American foreign aid programs worldwide.
In the cold heart of winter, President Donald Trump called for a 90-day halt on foreign aid, and shortly after, nixed 90% of aid contracts globally, including in Thailand.
"The ramifications of these cuts were most noticeable on the Thai-Myanmar border, particularly the refugee camps," Robertson remarked on Deeper Dive podcast. "Organizations like the International Rescue Committee were compelled to close hospitals catering to refugees. Elderly refugees who were suddenly deprived of crucial medical care tragically lost their lives."
Moving eastward, in Bangladesh, where Rohingya refugees - victims of ethnic cleansing and inhuman cruelty - have sought refuge since 2017, US aid programs were halted. These shutdowns left the Rohingya with fewer resources to combat their dire health conditions.
The aid freeze also impacted the US's response to Myanmar's March earthquake – USAID staff were handed termination notices mere days after arriving. However, the foreign aid cuts went beyond disaster relief and medical treatment.
"A significant Myanmar education consortium that was addressing literacy issues across eastern Myanmar has been dismantled," Robertson, former deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, stated. "Also, democracy and governance programs that were previously aiding Freedom House in providing safe houses for those fleeing Myanmar's oppressive regime were halted."
Thai responsibility? It's reasonable to ponder if a wealthy nation like Thailand should shoulder these responsibilities. "I can't help but express my hope that Thailand would contribute to these programs," Robertson shared with the podcast. "However, the reluctance to assist by Thailand has been striking. Their argument is that they are still grappling with their poverty issue, and the refugees are a burden."
In the past, Thailand's refusal to aid refugees had disastrous consequences, like the forced displacement and ultimate tragedy on the Cambodia border decades ago. International intervention halted these unjust acts, offering support and resources for the refugees to remain. Though other donors have pledged to help, their contributions may not suffice the scale and scope of what the US was providing.
Aside from the immediate suffering, Robertson highlights that withdrawing from international involvement increases America's vulnerability to global problems. "Leaving the world to stand on its own is the antithesis of 'making America great again.' It's 'make America isolated,'" Roberston argued. "This detachment makes America weaker, less interconnected, and more susceptible to surprises and shocks that may crop up at our doorstep."
Robertson emphasizes the necessity of addressing foreign health challenges, such as strains of antibiotic-resistant diseases, which could pose a serious threat to America if left unchecked. "Supporting programs that battle malaria along the Thai-Myanmar border is essential, as the source of resistant strains of both tuberculosis and malaria may infiltrate the US, leading to a substantial problem," Robertson added.
In essence, the aid cuts have created a humanitarian quagmire by eliminating crucial support systems for the most vulnerable populations in these regions.
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Behind the Scenes:
- The US foreign aid cuts have led to dire consequences on healthcare, education, and governance in countries like Thailand, Myanmar, and Bangladesh:
- Healthcare: The International Rescue Committee was forced to close hospitals in refugee camps, leading to preventable deaths; US aid halt impacted Rohingya refugee health programs; loss of vital health services leaving vulnerable populations at risk.
- Education: The education consortium in Myanmar was shuttered, affecting long-term educational development in conflict-affected areas; deprivation of education resources potentially pushes children into vulnerability, especially in under-resourced regions.
- Governance: Cessation of democracy and governance programs dismantles support for those seeking refuge; loss of shelters and services exacerbates risks for women and children in Southeast Asia.
- The cessation of US foreign aid programs in Myanmar also dismantled a significant education consortium that was addressing literacy issues across eastern Myanmar, potentially pushing children into vulnerability in under-resourced regions.
- In Bangladesh, where Rohingya refugees have sought refuge since 2017, the halt in US aid programs left them with fewer resources to combat their dire health conditions, increasing their risk of preventable deaths.
- Phil Robertson, a veteran human rights advocate, argues that withdrawing from international involvement and support for programs that battle malaria along the Thai-Myanmar border is essential to prevent the infiltration of antibiotic-resistant diseases, which could pose a serious threat to America if left unchecked.
