Humanitarian Crisis

Victor Amos
Global News , International News , News
March 10, 2025
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2 minutes Read

“Over 80% of USAID Programs Set to Officially Conclude”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the termination of the vast majority of the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) programs following a sweeping six-week review. Rubio stated on X that the eliminated initiatives “spent tens of billions in ways that did not serve or even harmed US interests.” Only 18% of USAID’s programs will remain operational, now to be managed by the State Department. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from humanitarian organizations worldwide, which warn that the move could have devastating consequences, potentially putting lives at risk. The Trump administration has consistently emphasized its “America First” policy, seeking to align overseas spending with national priorities. Shortly after President Trump’s return to the White House on January 20, thousands of USAID employees were placed on leave, and overseas staff were recalled. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order freezing foreign aid funding and initiating a review of USAID’s global operations, led by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). This review resulted in the cancellation of thousands of development contracts and the dismissal of thousands of employees. Rubio revealed that approximately 5,200 of USAID’s 6,200 programs have been discontinued following the review. “In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18% of programs to be administered more effectively under the State Department,” he added. Rubio also expressed gratitude to Doge and State Department staff for their efforts in achieving what he called an “overdue and historic reform.” However, the move has sparked legal challenges, with Democrats and humanitarian groups arguing that the shutdown of congressionally funded USAID programs is unlawful. USAID’s global missions ranging from famine relief and polio vaccinations to emergency food assistance in conflict zones have been significantly impacted. The repercussions are already being felt worldwide. In Sudan, the suspension of humanitarian aid has forced the closure of over 1,100 communal kitchens supporting victims of the ongoing civil war, leaving nearly two million people without critical assistance. In Oman, dozens of Afghan women who fled the Taliban to pursue higher education now face an uncertain future after their USAID-funded scholarships were abruptly canceled. Similarly, India’s first medical clinic for transgender individuals ceased operations in three cities after US foreign aid was withdrawn. The decision marks a dramatic shift in US foreign aid policy, raising concerns about the long-term humanitarian and diplomatic consequences of these cuts.

Metascholar News Portal
International News
February 22, 2025
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5 minutes Read

Hamas to Free Six Captives in Gaza After Bibas Mother’s Remains Are Recovered

Avera Mengistu, who crossed into Gaza nearly ten years ago and has been detained there since, along with Tal Shoham, a hostage captured in Gaza during the deadly October 7, 2023, attack, have been freed as part of a ceasefire and a hostage-prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel in Rafah, located in southern Gaza, on February 22, 2025. Hamas released two hostages and planned to free four more from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. This came after Israel confirmed that a body handed over earlier that day belonged to hostage Shiri Bibas. Tal Shoham, 40, and Avera Mengistu, 39, were transferred to the Red Cross in Rafah, southern Gaza, after being escorted onto a stage by armed Hamas militants. The release of four additional hostages was expected to take place soon after in central Gaza. The six hostages set to be freed on Saturday are the final living captives from a group of 33 scheduled for release in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which came into effect on January 19. Four of the hostages Shoham, Eliya Cohen, 27, Omer Shem Tov, 22, and Omer Wenkert, 23 were taken by Hamas militants during their assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. Shoham was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri, along with his wife and two children, who were released during a brief truce in November 2023. The other three were seized from the nearby Nova music festival. Two others, Hisham Al-Sayed, 36, and Mengistu, have been detained by Hamas since they voluntarily entered Gaza about a decade ago. Hundreds of Israelis gathered in the rain at what is now known as Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, cheering as they watched the release unfold on a large screen. Further south, crowds lined the roads near the Gaza border, waiting to welcome the convoy transporting the freed captives. The Hamas-led releases have involved public ceremonies where captives are taken on stage, with some required to speak. These events have drawn growing criticism, including from the United Nations, which condemned the “parading of hostages.” Hamas dismissed the criticism on Saturday, framing the ceremonies as a solemn display of Palestinian unity. In exchange for the hostages, Israel is expected to release 602 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from its custody as part of the latest phase of the ceasefire agreement. Among them are 445 Gazans arrested by Israeli forces during the war, along with numerous convicts serving…

Metascholar News Portal
Continent
December 25, 2024
206 views
2 minutes Read

Israeli Airstrikes Target Yemen’s Rebel-Held Capital Following Rocket Attack on Tel Aviv

December 25, 2024 – The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a series of airstrikes on Sanaa, the capital of Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels, in response to a rocket attack on Tel Aviv. The incident marks a significant escalation in regional tensions during a time traditionally observed as a period of peace. The rocket attack, claimed by the Houthi rebels, struck a residential area in Tel Aviv, injuring 16 people and causing widespread damage. Israeli authorities described the strike as an “unprovoked act of aggression” and vowed swift retaliation. Within hours, Israeli jets targeted key Houthi-controlled sites in Sanaa, including military installations, communication hubs, and weapons storage facilities. Preliminary reports from Yemen suggest that several people, including civilians, have been injured, though the extent of casualties remains unclear. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation late Tuesday, stating, “Israel will not tolerate attacks on its citizens. Our response will be firm and decisive to ensure the safety of our people and to send a clear message to those who threaten our security.” The Houthi rebels, who have been embroiled in a prolonged conflict with the Saudi-led coalition, claimed responsibility for the Tel Aviv attack, citing grievances over perceived Israeli support for Saudi operations in Yemen. They warned of further strikes if “external aggression” against Yemen continues. International leaders have expressed concern over the escalating conflict. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for “immediate de-escalation” and urged both sides to prioritize diplomacy over violence. The U.S. State Department also condemned the Houthi attack while urging restraint in Israel’s response. Humanitarian organizations have raised alarms over the potential impact on Yemen, already suffering from one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. With limited access to healthcare, food, and clean water, any escalation in violence could exacerbate the dire conditions faced by millions. This latest confrontation highlights the complex and interconnected nature of conflicts in the Middle East, with local disputes often having far-reaching implications. Observers fear that if the situation spirals further, it could draw in other regional powers, adding to the instability. For now, the world watches anxiously as calls for peace grow louder, urging all parties to step back from the brink of a wider conflict.