President Donald Trump's demolition of USAID has had a ripple effect across the Pacific as people working on more than 100 projects and activities in the region tackle an uncertain future.
Pacific analysts say the region is generally resilient and not highly impacted by withdrawals, but hundreds of people working on the USAID project across the region have come to terms with their lives and communities says it's already messed up.
According to the Lowy Institute, the US is the fifth largest Pacific funder after Australia, China, Japan and New Zealand.
“On an individual level, Pacific Islanders are undoubtedly influenced by this. Dr. Lefaoalii Dion Enari, a Pacific expert at Auckland Institute of Technology, said:
“This type of approach would harm US relations in the Pacific,” Lefaoali said.
What programs does USAID support in the Pacific?
USAID funds initiatives in a variety of areas, including health, the climate crisis and economic development. It helps the country develop and implement climate action plans and provide grants to local organizations to build resilience to climate crisis and disasters. USAID also funds community disaster preparedness and sustainable energy initiatives. For example, USAID's Climate is designed to be prepared for major marine state sustainability programs, allowing 12 Pacific countries to increase access to climate funds for critical adaptation and mitigation projects.
USAID does not publish a comprehensive list of projects it supports in the Pacific. However, estimates drawn from USAID documents, regional agencies and analysts suggest that there are over 100 large and small projects supported by USAID across the region.
The Guardian spoke to 12 Pacific people involved in the USAID project. They didn't want to be named for fear of losing potential future income. Some have already been let go, while some are in Limbo and it is uncertain whether they will remain employed.
One source of information that is estimated to be full-time employees of the USAID Project does not consider contractors or other partners. This amounts to thousands.
Another worker in the Papua New Guinea organization that relies on USAID has expressed concern about the future. “We employ four people and at the moment, we don't know how long it's been up and running,” they said.
How much funding does the US provide to the Pacific?
According to the Roy Institute, the United States spent a cumulative $3.4 billion on the Pacific Islands between 2008 and 2024. A total of $249 million was spent in 2022, with mostly being compacted by the Free Association (COFA) nation. of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau.
“The US spends 80% of its aid in the Pacific Oceans of the Cofa countries. Of the remaining 20%, most will go to Papua New Guinea and other Melanesian countries,” said Deputy at the Indo-Pacific Development Center at Roy Institute. Director Alexandre Deiant said.
“The Cofa countries are protected from USAID freezes as their funds have been approved by Congress through the Department of Home Affairs,” he added.
The US pledges $600 million in 2022 to strengthen its involvement in the Pacific, including its commitment to opening embassies in Tonga and Kilibati, and appoints US envoys to the Pacific Islands Forum. Although we include those involved in the Pacific side programme, the funds still have to reach the island fully.
How did the Pacific Ocean respond?
Some programs are looking for new funding. One organization in Samoa, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), was given $532,608 by USAID in 2023, creating new economic opportunities in 20 rural villages, promoting women's empowerment, and We were able to work on disaster risk management. The program supported approximately 14,000 villagers. The agency also offers workshops on mental health, domestic violence and family health supported by the USAID and the Pacific American Fund.
In a statement issued earlier this week, Adra said it was actively seeking alternative funds to continue its suspended lifesaving program. The organization said it is working to utilize other available resources to continue operating key initiatives during the review period and expects positive results.
This includes community disasters and climate risk management. This gives village knowledge and skills to respond to dangers and disasters.
“This is shocking to our people at first, but at the end of the day, we are resilient,” Lefaoali told the Guardian. “For Samoa, and for many of our islands, we have a social safety net built into our community to support us in such an era.”
Despite the region's resilience, Lefao Ali said the moves by Trump are considered “disrespectful” in the Pacific.
“We deeply appreciate loyalty and respect, and this move was disrespectful. It directly impacted the livelihoods of the community, not consultation, which was easily forgotten by Pacific leaders. Hmm,” Lefaoalii said.
