Dismantling of USAID by Trump and Musk: Financial Crisis Looms for Pro-Polisario NGOs
The Trump administration's dismantling of USAID may severely impact pro-Polisario NGOs in Tindouf, which rely on its funding. USAID provides about 40% of global humanitarian aid, and its closure raises concerns over humanitarian efforts. Additionally, reports highlight fraudulent diversions of aid, complicating the situation for affected populations.
hassan benyoub 
The Trump administration's decision to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is poised to have severe repercussions for numerous pro-Polisario NGOs operating in the Tindouf camps. USAID accounts for approximately 40% of global humanitarian aid, and its closure will significantly impact organizations that depend on this funding.
Among the NGOs and international organizations that have been active in the Polisario camps and benefited from USAID support are:
- Oxfam
- Médecins du Monde
- Danish Refugee Council
- Comitato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo dei Popoli
- Triangle Génération Humanitaire
- UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
- World Food Programme
A report from OLAF (European Anti-Fraud Office) highlighted "fraudulent and systematic" diversions of humanitarian aid within the Polisario camps in Tindouf. Reports indicate that this aid is often sold on the black market, enriching Algerian dignitaries or purchasing weapons for Polisario militias.
This humanitarian trafficking is facilitated by a misleading portrayal of the Polisario camps as refugee camps. In reality, none of the residents hold refugee cards, and both Algeria and the Polisario have resisted any UN census of the alleged Sahrawi population in Tindouf. The overwhelming majority of those claiming to be Sahrawis are actually Algerians, Mauritanians, or Malians, with only a small minority originating from Western Sahara.
The impending financial crisis resulting from the dismantling of USAID raises concerns about the future of humanitarian efforts in these regions. As funding sources dwindle, NGOs may struggle to maintain their operations, further exacerbating the challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Tindouf and beyond.
