The United States and Bangladesh are currently experiencing a disagreement regarding a contentious $29 million USAID initiative, which, as stated by a high-ranking Bangladeshi official, did not undergo the necessary regulatory processes within the country. On February 21, former U.S. President Donald Trump, during a speech at the White House, criticized various USAID projects that had been recently terminated based on recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is overseen by Elon Musk. He specifically highlighted the $29 million initiative that was allegedly intended to “enhance the political landscape” in Bangladesh, expressing skepticism about the legitimacy of the firm involved. Trump remarked, “$29 million to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh went to a firm nobody ever heard of,” suggesting that the firm, with only two employees, had unexpectedly received a substantial sum from the U.S. government, implying fraudulent behavior.
In contrast, the Bangladeshi government has denied any knowledge of such funding. Md. Anwar Hossain, the Director General (In-Charge) of the NGO Affairs Bureau, which regulates foreign-funded NGOs under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance of 1978, stated that there is no record of the purported financial allocation. Hossain remarked, “Donald Trump mentioned about $29 million, but we have not identified that amount coming through our NGO Affairs Bureau.” He further indicated that verification could be possible if the specific NGOs involved were identified, but overall, there is no evidence of that amount being allocated to NGOs. When questioned about whether USAID had circumvented the Bureau’s oversight in distributing the funds, Hossain refrained from providing a comment. This dispute arises amidst the suspension of USAID funding for certain programs in Bangladesh, a situation that Hossain acknowledged could have significant long-term implications.
Our non-governmental organizations (NGOs) benefit from support across multiple nations. Occasionally, funding may diminish due to global emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters like those experienced in Turkey, leading to a reallocation of resources. While this funding suspension will undoubtedly have repercussions, NGOs are actively pursuing alternative sources of funding, as noted by Hossain.Bangladesh is home to 2,640 registered NGOs, which play a crucial role in providing employment opportunities. Hossain emphasized that, despite the challenges posed by funding suspensions, USAID remains committed to supporting initiatives for Rohingya refugees, with nearly 70 NGOs continuing to receive assistance from the United States. For over five decades, the United States has invested upwards of $8 billion in Bangladesh, as reported by the U.S. State Department. However, in light of Trump’s scrutiny regarding recent aid distributions, Bangladesh asserts that it has not encountered any evidence of the purported $29 million in missing funds.
