GiveWell’s Response to USAID Funding Cuts: March 19, 2025
This episode was recorded on March 12, 2025 and represents our best understanding at that time.
In this discussion between GiveWell CEO and co-founder Elie Hassenfeld and Senior Program Officer Julie Faller, we provide snapshots of how US funding changes are affecting global health programs:
In this discussion between GiveWell CEO and co-founder Elie Hassenfeld and Senior Program Officer Julie Faller, we provide snapshots of how US funding changes are affecting global health programs:
- Immediate program trade-offs: As funds are paused, country governments are having to choose between essential health services, including one country that said it would prioritize HIV treatment programs while indefinitely pausing HIV prevention programs.
- Supply chain breakdown: Essential supplies like ready-to-use therapeutic food for malnourished children have been stranded throughout the supply chain (in ports, warehouses, and transit) with no systems to track or distribute them, as the electronic logistics management systems were operated by now-dismissed US government contractors.
- Implementation capacity concerns: Widespread layoffs at implementing organizations raise questions about whether these groups can effectively deliver programs even if alternative funding becomes available.
The episode also offers a look at our initial response strategy, which has focused on:
- Addressing urgent gaps in high-impact program areas we’re familiar with, such as malaria prevention and malnutrition treatment
- Exploring flexible funding options such as forgivable loans or phased disbursements to help mitigate risks during this volatile period
- Preparing for longer-term needs that could arise due to sustained reductions in foreign assistance from the US and other donor countries
