USAID Funding Controversy Exposed by Middle East Forum Report
The Middle East Forum's report reveals that USAID has funneled significant funds to extremist groups tied to terrorism. This has raised concerns about the agency's vetting processes and practices.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has come under scrutiny due to a report by the Middle East Forum, which claims that the agency allocated millions of dollars to extremist organizations linked to designated terrorist groups. The report, released on February 4, states that USAID and the State Department authorized $164 million in grants to radical organizations, with at least $122 million intended for groups associated with terrorism.
The report indicates that billions of federal dollars have been allocated to American aid charities that fail to properly vet their local partners connected to terrorism.
Among the notable findings is that USAID provided over $900,000 to a Gaza-based charity, the Bayader Association for Environment and Development, which has close ties to Hamas. USAID's funding to Bayader began in 2016, including allocations made shortly before the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Additionally, the report highlights a $12.5 million grant approved for the American Near East Refugee Agency in 2024, which partners with Bayader and has had staff members publicly expressing violent ideology on social media.
The Middle East Forum's director, Sam Westrop, criticized the revelations as appalling, noting that USAID had previously funded the Islamic Relief Agency, which has been designated as a terrorist organization since 2004 due to its connections with Osama bin Laden.
USAID's practices and affiliations are under further investigation amid discussions of reorganizing or possibly dismantling the agency. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that Congress might consider integrating USAID functions into the State Department, while Elon Musk has voiced his disdain for the agency, labeling it as a criminal organization.
