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Crippling aid work: On the U.S. freeze on foreign assistance

The fallout of U.S. foreign assistance freeze will be far-reaching

Insularity often stems from contempt, and the kind now being exhibited by U.S. President Donald
Trump and his administration is no exception. Withdrawing from international commitments has
become a defining feature of Mr. Trump’s foreign policy, and the latest decision to freeze foreign
assistance adds to the list of drastic moves, following the withdrawal from WHO and the Paris Accord.
This decision will disrupt established global aid structures and have dire consequences for the millions
who rely on U.S. assistance for survival. While the full impact is yet to unfold, it is clear to those in the
development sector that a cascade of negative repercussions is imminent. On his first day in office,
Mr. Trump imposed a 90-day freeze on foreign assistance, citing inefficiencies and ideological
opposition to USAID. His administration argues that USAID misallocates funds and operates at odds
with his policies. Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency, went so far as to
label USAID a viper’s nest of radical-left Marxists who hate America. The official USAID website has
been stripped of its content, but announced that all personnel would be placed on administrative
leave, with only a few exceptions for mission-critical staff. The administration also ordered the rapid
repatriation of overseas USAID personnel within 30 days.

USAID was established in 1961 as an independent agency under the Foreign Assistance Act, designed
to provide global humanitarian and development aid. According to the U.S. government’s official
spending tracker (USASpending.gov), USAID was allocated $44.2 billion in the 2024 budget. While this
amounts to just 0.4% of the total U.S. federal budget, media reports indicate that it accounted for
nearly 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the UN in 2024. USAID funds a range of programmes
which include health care, food aid (including assistance to Gaza), and policy advocacy. The agency
has maintained a strong presence in India since the 1960s, supporting initiatives in education,
immunisation, HIV/TB prevention, polio eradication, and child health. Though direct financial aid to
India has declined in recent years, USAID contributions still amounted to over $150 million for the
latest fiscal year. However, in many conflict-ridden regions, USAID remains a lifeline. Withdrawing
from international aid efforts is more than a bureaucratic shift: it risks leaving millions without food,
medical assistance and critical resources. The decision reflects an inward-looking approach that
dismisses the interconnectedness of global affairs. As the U.S. retreats from its historical leadership in
international development, the world will be left grappling with the consequences of this reckless
policy shift. [Practice Exercise]

 Red/blue coloring of words in the sentence indicates subject verb relationship; where ‘red’
denotes ‘subject’ and ‘blue’ denotes ‘verb’.

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Vocabulary
1. Crippling (adjective) – Devastating, 12. Following (preposition) – After, as a result
damaging, disabling, paralyzing, weakening of, subsequent to, in the wake of

13. Disrupt (verb) – Disturb, interfere with,

2. Aid (noun) – Assistance, help, support, break, interrupt, upset
relief, backing
14. Dire (adjective) – Terrible, dreadful,
3. Fallout (noun) – Consequence, aftermath, disastrous, severe, grave
impact, repercussion, result
15. Rely (on) (verb) – Depend on, count on,
4. Freeze (noun) – Suspension, halt, stoppage, trust in, bank on
restriction, ban
16. Unfold (verb) – Develop, reveal, evolve,
5. Far-reaching (adjective) – Extensive, occur, manifest
widespread, broad, long-term, influential
17. Cascade (noun) – Series, sequence, chain
reaction, domino effect
6. Insularity (noun) – Isolation, narrow-
mindedness, detachment, self-containment 18. Repercussion (noun) – Consequence,
effect, impact, fallout

7. Often (adverb) – Frequently, regularly, 19. Imminent (adjective) – Approaching, about

repeatedly, commonly to happen, impending, near

8. Stem from (phrasal verb) – Originate from, 20. Impose (verb) – Enforce, apply, implement,
arise from, result from, be caused by dictate

21. Cite (verb) – Mention, refer to, quote, point

9. Contempt (noun) – Disrespect, disdain, out
scorn, disregard, hatred
22. Inefficiency (noun) – Ineffectiveness,
incompetence, lack of productivity
10. Exhibit (verb) – Display, show,
demonstrate, present, manifest
23. Ideological (adjective) – Philosophical,
doctrinal, theoretical, belief-based
11. Add to (phrasal verb) – Increase, contribute
to, enhance, amplify

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24. USAID (noun) – United States Agency for 34. Advocacy (noun) – Support, promotion,
International Development, a U.S. defense, backing
government organization that provides
global humanitarian aid 35. Immunisation (noun) – Vaccination,
inoculation, disease prevention, medical
( )
protection
25. Misallocate (verb) – Misuse, wrongly
36. Eradication (noun) – Elimination, removal,
distribute, divert, mishandle
destruction, extermination

37. Fiscal year (noun) – Financial year,

26. At odds with (phrase) – In conflict with,
accounting period, budget year
opposed to, in disagreement with
38. Conflict-ridden (adjective) – War-torn,
27. Label (verb) – Name, categorize, brand, crisis-stricken, plagued by violence
define, classify

28. A viper’s nest (phrase) – A place full of 39. Bureaucratic (adjective) – Administrative,
danger, betrayal, or hostility governmental, procedural, official

29. Strip (of) (verb) – Remove, take away, 40. Reflect (verb) – Indicate, show, reveal,
deprive, dismantle demonstrate

30. Repatriation (noun) – Return, deportation, 41. Inward-looking (adjective) – Self-focused,

homecoming, re-entry isolationist, nationalist, insular

31. Humanitarian (adjective) – Philanthropic,

charitable, compassionate, welfare- 42. Interconnectedness (noun) – Linkage,
oriented relationship, interrelation, dependence

32. Amount to (phrasal verb) – Total, add up

to, be equivalent to 43. Retreat (verb) – Withdraw, pull back, back
down, abandon
33. Account for (phrasal verb) – Represent,
constitute, make up, explain 44. Grapple (with) (verb) – Struggle with, deal
with, confront, cope with

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45. Reckless (adjective) – Careless, thoughtless, rash, irresponsible

Summary of the Editorial

1. U.S. Foreign Aid Freeze: President Donald Trump’s administration has frozen U.S. foreign
assistance, disrupting global aid structures.
2. Pattern of Withdrawal: The move follows previous withdrawals from WHO and the Paris
Accord, reinforcing Trump's insular foreign policy.
3. Immediate Fallout: Millions reliant on U.S. aid for survival will face severe consequences,
especially in conflict zones.
4. Initial Freeze Period: On his first day in office, Trump imposed a 90-day freeze on foreign aid,
citing inefficiencies and ideological issues with USAID.
5. Criticism from Administration: Elon Musk, head of Government Efficiency, labeled USAID as a
radical-left organization, intensifying political bias against aid agencies.
6. Dismantling USAID: The USAID website was wiped, and most personnel were placed on
administrative leave, except for a few mission-critical staff.
7. Repatriation of Staff: USAID employees working abroad have been ordered to return to the
U.S. within 30 days, disrupting aid operations.
8. History of USAID: Founded in 1961, USAID was created to provide global humanitarian and
development assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act.
9. Budget Allocation: USAID had a $44.2 billion budget in 2024, making up 0.4% of the total U.S.
federal budget.
10. Global Impact: Despite its relatively small share of U.S. spending, USAID accounted for 42% of
UN-tracked global humanitarian aid in 2024.
11. Key Programmes Affected: USAID funds health care, food aid (including assistance to Gaza),
and policy advocacy, all of which are now at risk.
12. USAID’s Role in India: Since the 1960s, USAID has supported health and education in India,
with funding still amounting to $150 million in the latest fiscal year.
13. Critical Support in Conflict Zones: In war-torn regions, USAID remains a lifeline for millions,
providing food, medical aid, and essential resources.
14. Global Consequences: The U.S. retreat from foreign aid leadership will have long-term effects,
increasing instability, poverty, and humanitarian crises worldwide.
15. A Reckless Policy Shift: The decision reflects an inward-looking approach, ignoring global
interdependence and leaving millions vulnerable to suffering.

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Practice Exercise: SSC Pattern Based

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