In a sweeping move aimed at reducing what it calls "wasteful spending," the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has announced the cancellation of several foreign aid projects valued at over $700 million. The projects, which spanned across Africa, Asia, and Europe, were intended to support initiatives ranging from political process strengthening to environmental conservation.
However, the DOGE department, formed to scrutinize and overhaul government expenditures, determined that these projects did not align with the immediate interests of US taxpayers and thus, terminated their funding.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the now-cancelled programs:
Key Cancelled Foreign Aid Programs
1. Mozambique: $10M – Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision
This program aimed to reduce HIV transmission rates through voluntary medical male circumcision. Mozambique, which has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, was a key recipient. Critics argued that the initiative, while addressing a critical health issue, lacked measurable outcomes and relied heavily on US funding.
2. Cambodia: $9.7M – Youth Enterprise Skills (UC Berkeley)
Funds were allocated to UC Berkeley to develop entrepreneurial and business skills among Cambodian youth. The program sought to equip young people with tools to build small businesses. However, the DOGE review highlighted concerns about effectiveness and questioned why US taxpayers were funding youth employment programs abroad instead of investing in domestic workforce development.
3. Cambodia: $2.3M – Strengthening Independent Voices
This project supported local journalism and media freedom in Cambodia. While freedom of the press is a core democratic value, the DOGE panel determined that the program offered little direct benefit to US citizens and faced resistance from Cambodia’s increasingly authoritarian government.
4. Czech Republic: $32M – Prague Civil Society Centre
The Prague Civil Society Centre received funding to support democratic reforms and civic engagement across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. DOGE’s assessment concluded that while the center performed valuable work, its broad regional approach diluted US oversight and impact.
5. Global: $40M – Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Hub
This global initiative focused on promoting gender equality and empowering women in developing nations. DOGE auditors questioned the efficiency of the program, citing concerns over administrative costs and a lack of transparent progress metrics.
6. Serbia: $14M – Improving Public Procurement
The program aimed to reform Serbia’s public procurement system to reduce corruption and improve efficiency. DOGE determined that such governance issues were best addressed internally by Serbian authorities, not US-funded contractors.
7. Global: $486M – Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening
This massive initiative funded election-related support across multiple countries, including:
- $22M in Moldova for inclusive and participatory political processes.
- $21M in India to encourage voter turnout. DOGE criticized the spending as overly expansive, with particular concern over India’s robust democratic system not requiring foreign election support.
8. Bangladesh: $29M – Strengthening Political Landscape
This program supported political party development and electoral reforms in Bangladesh. DOGE’s review suggested that political reforms in Bangladesh had seen limited progress, raising doubts about the program’s effectiveness.
9. Nepal: $20M – Fiscal Federalism
This initiative sought to strengthen Nepal’s transition to a federal system of governance. DOGE questioned the justification for American taxpayers funding administrative reforms in a distant nation.
10. Nepal: $19M – Biodiversity Conservation
Focused on protecting Nepal’s rich biodiversity and promoting eco-tourism, this program faced scrutiny for lacking clear accountability measures and long-term sustainability guarantees.
11. Liberia: $1.5M – Voter Confidence
The program aimed to build public trust in Liberia’s electoral processes. DOGE argued that while democratic stability in Liberia is important, such efforts should be led by regional partners.
12. Mali: $14M – Social Cohesion
Intended to reduce ethnic tensions and promote unity in Mali, this project was deemed by DOGE as overly ambitious with uncertain outcomes, especially in a country facing ongoing armed conflicts.
13. Southern Africa: $2.5M – Inclusive Democracies
This program aimed to strengthen democratic institutions across Southern Africa. DOGE’s findings suggested the program lacked measurable benchmarks and faced logistical challenges.
14. Asia: $47M – Improving Learning Outcomes
Focused on enhancing education quality across several Asian countries, this initiative faced criticism for poor monitoring systems and an overreliance on foreign consultants.
15. Kosovo: $2M – Sustainable Recycling Models
The funding was directed toward developing recycling infrastructure to improve socio-economic cohesion among marginalized Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian communities in Kosovo. DOGE officials questioned the priority of such localized projects compared to domestic environmental issues in the US.
The Rationale Behind the Cuts
Elon Musk, known for his advocacy for efficiency and cost-cutting, spearheaded this review process under DOGE. In a press conference, he stated:
“The American taxpayer deserves to know that every dollar is working hard for them. We found too many programs where money was going overseas without clear, measurable returns for our people.”
The DOGE department argued that:
- Many projects had vague goals and questionable impact assessments.
- Administrative overheads consumed a significant portion of funds.
- Some nations were becoming over-reliant on US aid, inhibiting self-sufficiency.
Mixed Reactions
Supporters:
- Fiscal Conservatives praised the cuts, viewing them as long overdue.
- Taxpayer Advocacy Groups lauded the initiative as a step toward accountability.
Critics:
- International Development Experts warned that cutting aid could destabilize fragile regions.
- Human Rights Organizations argued that defunding democracy-building programs could embolden authoritarian regimes.
What’s Next?
DOGE has indicated that this is just the first phase of a broader government spending review. Additional cuts across other departments, including health aid, environmental grants, and cultural exchange programs, are expected.
Final Thoughts
The DOGE-led cancellations signal a significant shift in US foreign aid philosophy, emphasizing domestic priorities over global development commitments. While the move resonates with calls for fiscal responsibility, it raises questions about America’s role as a global leader and the potential human cost in nations that relied on these initiatives.
Whether this approach delivers long-term benefits or undermines US global influence remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain—the era of unchecked foreign aid spending is facing unprecedented scrutiny under Elon Musk’s DOGE.