BY JOSEPH NICHOLS / Care4Ukraine.org
The Impact of USAID’s Absence in Ukraine: More Than Just Lost Funding
In the complex and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, international aid plays a crucial role in sustaining communities affected by war. People that understand the importance of humanitarian assistance understand that organizational and targeted assistance with transparent activities is critical. Not one single group can provide all that is necessary and to mitigate any humanitarian crisis - resources (Equipment, Supplies, Food, Money) are needed for sure, but experience ensures proper management of these valuable resources.
Among the most impactful organizations on the ground has been the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). However, recent developments have seen a dramatic reduction in the presence of USAID personnel in Ukraine. While some may assume this simply means fewer American dollars flowing into the country, the reality is far more damaging. The absence of USAID staff is not just about lost funding—it’s about the loss of expertise, coordination, and hands-on support that directly impacts millions of Ukrainians.
More Than Bureaucrats: USAID’s Real Role on the Ground
Contrary to common misconceptions, USAID employees are not faceless bureaucrats sitting in offices, shuffling paperwork, and doling out cash. The men and women working for USAID in Ukraine have been boots on the ground, working side by side with local organizations, municipalities, and volunteer networks to ensure that aid reaches the people who need it most.
These professionals bring essential language skills, technical expertise, and deep knowledge of the country’s socioeconomic landscape. They are not just conduits for financial assistance; they are facilitators, problem-solvers, and, in many cases, frontline responders. They provide logistical support for food and medical deliveries, oversee critical infrastructure projects, and help local businesses and farmers stay afloat amid wartime challenges.
A System of Support, Now Weakened
One of the most important aspects of USAID’s work in Ukraine has been its ability to empower Ukrainians to help their own communities. Rather than simply handing out aid, USAID personnel train local organizations, equip hospitals, support small businesses, and create long-term strategies to rebuild shattered economies and social services.
Without them:
• Local NGOs lose critical training and guidance, making it harder for them to navigate international aid systems and maximize their resources.
• Key infrastructure projects stall, affecting everything from water access to energy security.
• Economic recovery efforts slow, as businesses and agricultural initiatives lose access to grants, technical assistance, and international partnerships.
• Education and social services suffer, as programs supporting displaced families, children, and the elderly struggle to stay operational.
The Challenge of Filling the Gap
While many dedicated international and local organizations continue to operate in Ukraine, USAID personnel provided a level of coordination and expertise that is not easily replaced. Their departure disrupts supply chains, weakens crisis response mechanisms, and puts additional strain on an already overburdened network of local volunteers and aid workers.
At a time when Ukraine’s humanitarian needs are only increasing, the loss of USAID personnel has left a gaping hole in the country’s support structure. It’s not just about money—it’s about the people who knew how to make aid effective, how to bridge cultural and logistical gaps, and how to ensure that help didn’t just arrive, but actually reached those in need in the most efficient way possible.
The Road Ahead
For those working on the ground, including groups like Care4Ukraine.org, the absence of USAID teams means adapting to an even tougher reality. It means relying more on local networks, volunteers, and private donors. It means finding new ways to fill the expertise gap that USAID professionals left behind. And it means calling for smarter, more effective international support—support that goes beyond financial pledges and includes people with the skills, experience, and commitment to make a real difference.
The situation in Ukraine is far from over, and neither should the world’s commitment to meaningful aid. USAID’s absence is a loss not just for Ukraine, but for the entire global humanitarian effort.
Care4Ukraine.Org remains active, dedicated, and supportive of all efforts to help those truly in need throughout Ukraine. Your donations will help fill widening gaps in the aid infrastructure. We appreciate all you have done, as well as all you can do right now. Thank you.
Visit HERE to help Care4Ukraine.org
FROM MARK CARY
Hello all, I will update more later. However, I thought it was important to get this out ASAP.
As you know, the White House has issued a flurry of executive orders in the last week. The most recent puts a 90 day pause on all foreign humanitarian aid. This does not include previously allocated military equipment that is still being shipped. As a matter of fact, today the US shipped 90 decommissioned Patriot missiles from storage in Israel to Ukraine.
But the funding pause does include humanitarian assistance that is distributed through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This pause impacts all US humanitarian aid worldwide. I have seen USAID working at the site of bombings, in hospitals and in small communities all over Ukraine. Unlike the International Red Cross and the UN, USAID makes a difference. As Olga says in the attached article, we should all be proud of our efforts.
This weekend I have a meeting with another volunteer from Arizona who lives full time in Kyiv. She is trying to set up a veterans center in Ukraine to support the wounded with programs that we take for granted through our Veterans Administration. Our meeting is a brainstorming session to see how our International team can help. The current Veterans Hub in Kyiv will now be shut down due to the funding pause.
In the attached article, Olga Rudenko of the Kyiv Independent makes the case for why our funding is so important to Ukraine and especially in support of Independent media. As you know, I visited KI on my last trip and am in weekly contact with them. I urge you to read the article and contribute if possible.
My next trip is scheduled for March 29. And I will be updating as usual. Thank you all again for all your support.
Mark Cary
Article in Kyiv Independent about the US Aid Pause
PS - One of my best friends, a volunteer from the UK was hit by a drone last night. He is expected to live, but has lost an arm and a leg. We are working on getting him home once he has been stabilized. He should be in Dnipro now from Pokrovsk. One of the best guys I have known. And certainly over there. The whole community is rallying around him to help. Visit HERE to help Eddy.