U.S. to End Vaccine Funds for Poor Countries
www.nytimes.com
A 281-page spreadsheet obtained by The Times lists the Trump administration’s plans for thousands of foreign aid programs.
  • plootEnglish
    36·
    2 months ago

    Cruelty and death to poor people and more pandemics for everyone! The American way.

  • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.worldEnglish
    15·
    2 months ago

    As US Withdraws From WHO, China Supercharges Its Public Health Diplomacy

    Over the course of two decades, China has built a public health aid program for the world, turbocharged by the pandemic. As the U.S. retreats, China will only garner more influence globally.

    …

    Based on AidData’s Global China Development Finance (GCDF) dataset, China is heading in the opposite direction of the United States, doubling down on its global health outreach program through its signature Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). During a moment of high geopolitical tension and multiple humanitarian crises in the world, retreating from global health diplomacy – an area where Washington was once the acknowledged leader – degrades the United States’ influence and reputation and undermines U.S. national security.

    China is executing its effort through its Health Silk Road program, which includes projects from constructing hospitals in developing countries to providing ophthalmic operating equipment. China supported refugees in the Middle East and Asia and provided malaria and AIDS medicines to poor communities. From 2000-2014, China donated an aggregate of $1.45 billion to developing countries, but then ramped that up during the period 2015-2019, to $2.14 billion. Over the course of 20 years China sent medical teams to over 85 countries.

    Reminds me of the old quote:

    Every time China visits we get a hospital, every time Britain visits we get a lecture.

    ~ Dr Lubinda Haabazoka, Director of the University of Zambia Graduate School of Business and former President of the Economics Association of Zambia

    • ThrowawayOnLemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      19·
      2 months ago

      It wasn’t just ‘for some reason’ it was strategic. I wouldn’t expect Trump to get it, but I’d hope a random person on the internet would have more sense than the President.

      Providing vaccines to third world countries acted as a level of prevention by keeping these diseases from spreading to our country or our trading partners.

      More pragmatically, providing this service allowed the US to push their influence on other countries too. Whether through providing aid, or threatening to withhold aid, this service acts as a tool for the US government to maintain their superiority on the world stage.

      Also, from a more fucked up perspective, keeping a healthy population of third world people is crucial to the exploitative nature of capitalism and its nonstop growth.

    • WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      2 months ago

      Yeah, the oligarchs really need the 4.5 trillion in tax cuts!

      One day you’ll realise the boots you’re licking are covered in shit.

        • jjjalljs@ttrpg.networkEnglish
          6·
          2 months ago

          Eradicating infectious diseases (that don’t respect borders) is a net positive for everyone.

          • sevenOfKnivesEnglish
            2·
            2 months ago

            Then europe should have no qualms about footing the bill and doing it themselves.

            • jjjalljs@ttrpg.networkEnglish
              2·
              2 months ago

              Why is that valid but “the US should have no qualms about footing the bill and doing it” not?

              • sevenOfKnivesEnglish
                1·
                2 months ago

                They both are? I’m not in favor of this move, but it’s a bit hypocritical to blame the us for discontinuing aid if nobody else is willing to provide it.

    • sevenOfKnivesEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      I really hate to defend the actions of those POS nazi scumbags, but this is mostly on the rest of the world for standing back and letting americans foot the bill for everything. Europe being caught scrambling to invest in building up their defense industry is another perfect example of this. Or like how the germans decided nuclear energy was too scary so they started relying more on gas imports from russia.