By ASHER MOSS
In late January 2025, Uganda's Ministry of Health declared an Ebola outbreak caused by the Sudan virus in Kampala, marking the nation's eighth encounter with this deadly disease since 2000. Just last week, a 4-year-old boy died of Ebola.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was initially heavily involved in the Ebola response, but in recent weeks President Donald Trump’s administration has hobbled its operations, cutting the number of people involved in outbreak response from more than 50 to just six.
On Feb. 27, the Trump administration cut 90 percent of USAID contracts. This shutdown has left the U.S. incapable of responding to international emergencies, including the Ebola outbreak. Without USAID's intervention, the risk of the virus spreading beyond Uganda's borders to other nations, including the United States, has escalated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have already issued travel advisories, urging travelers to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving Uganda.
MUSK PRIORITIZING PROFIT OVER LIVES
The dismantling of USAID is not an isolated policy decision; it reflects a broader trend of privatizing humanitarian aid. Elon Musk has advocated for the privatization of foreign assistance, suggesting that for-profit entities could fill the void left by government agencies. Musk and Trump would prioritize profit over human lives.
The consequences of this policy shift are dire. Without USAID's infrastructure and expertise, non-governmental organizations struggle to operate, and affected countries are left without support. The Ebola outbreak in Uganda is a stark reminder that diseases do not respect borders. A localized outbreak can quickly become a global pandemic if not addressed promptly and effectively.
As the Chairman of the U.S. House's powerful Foreign Affairs Committee, U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, a Florida Republican whose district encompasses northern Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, is in a position to save critical humanitarian aid and health security programs. Instead, he’s leading the campaign to destroy them.
HOW TO HELP
Rep. Mast recently chaired a committee hearing where he said, “the programs that USAID has spent money on are indefensible, they hurt America’s standing around the world, and I think the fact is clear that America would be better off if your money had simply been thrown into a fireplace.”
Our congressman claims we would be better off throwing money into a fireplace than responding to Ebola before it reaches our shores. Please tell him you are concerned about the collapse of humanitarian aid and U.S. health security. His Capitol office number is (202) 225-3026.
You can find an easy guide on how to reach out to Brian Mast and other key policymakers here.
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Asher Moss is a Palm Beach Gardens resident and founder of Students for Humanitarians Aid, which he leads along with former FL-21 Congressional candidate Thomas Witkop. Please reach out if you would like to be involved in our campaign to protect humanitarian aid programs: studentsforhumanitarianaid@gmail.com
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