The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated a total budget of Ksh5.6 trillion ($43.4 billion) for the fiscal year 2023, as reported by the Congressional Research Service (CRS).

Approximately 130 countries received USAID assistance, with Europe and Eurasia receiving the largest share, amounting to Ksh2.2 Trillion ($17.2 billion).

This huge allocation was because Ukraine was the top foreign recipient of USAID aid in 2023.

Moreover, between 2022 and 2024, USAID provided more than Ksh3.8 Trillion ($30 billion) in direct financial support to the Ukrainian government in response to its ongoing conflict with Russia according to a Forbes report.

Organizations That Get Funds to Implement Projects

USAID funds are usually distributed to various organizations instead of being directly utilized by the U.S. government.

A substantial 52% of USAID programs are implemented by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), while Public International Organizations (PIOs), which include entities formed through partnerships between foreign governments like the World Bank, handle 34% of the programs.

On the other hand, US government agencies oversee about 10% of USAID projects, while foreign governments are responsible for approximately 4% of the initiatives.

Among public international organizations, the World Bank Group was the top recipient of USAID non-military assistance between 2013 and 2022, securing over Ksh2.5 Trillion ($20 billion).

On the other hand,  the World Food Program(WFP), which is dedicated to hunger relief efforts, received more than Ksh1.9 Trillion ($15 billion) during the same period.

Furthermore, for-profit firms have played a significant role in USAID-funded projects, with 40% of all NGO-related USAID funding being directed to these companies.

Also, at least four private firms received over Ksh128 billion ($1 billion) each from USAID over the nine years.

Top 15 Organizations Receiving USAID Funds

According to the report by Forbes, several NGOs have been key beneficiaries of USAID funding.

The top 15 organizations that received USAID funding between 2013 and 2022 are:

1. Catholic Relief Services: $4.6 billion (nonprofit)

2. Chemonics International: $4.5 billion (for-profit)

3. FHI 360: $3.8 billion (nonprofit)

4. Development Alternatives, Inc.: $3 billion (for-profit)

5. ABT Associates, Inc.: $2.6 billion (for-profit)

6. RTI International: $2.3 billion (research institute)

7. John Snow International: $1.8 billion (nonprofit)

8. Save the Children Federation, Inc.: $1.5 billion (nonprofit)

9. ARD, Inc.: $1.5 billion (nonprofit)

10. Jhpiego Corporation: $1.3 billion (nonprofit)

11. Deloitte: $1.2 billion (for-profit)

12. World Vision: $1.2 billion (nonprofit)

13. Mercy Corps: $1.1 billion (nonprofit)

14. ADCI/VOCA: $1.1 billion (nonprofit)

15. Population Services International: $1.1 billion (nonprofit)

     

During his first week in office, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing a 90-day freeze on all foreign US assistance, pending a comprehensive spending review.

The order included exceptions for emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt.

However, on Monday, February 3, Elon Musk, head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), announced that he and Trump were working to dismantle USAID for good.

USAID headquarters were then shut down and employees were instructed to work remotely. Also, USAID’s official website has been offline since Saturday, February 1, and its X account has been deleted.

Meanwhile, in Kenya, many USAID employees and employees of the US-funded organisations were issued with termination letters.