HETAUDA, Nepal (AP) — Associated Press reporter Kristen Gelineau has reported on the effects of U.S. foreign aid cuts, specifically how they have led to many former aid workers in Nepal turning to sex work for survival. These workers are part of the 280,000 individuals globally who lost their jobs following the dissolution of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) last year, a decision made by the Trump administration, which described the agency as inefficient. The U.S. State Department stated that the administration aimed to enhance the effectiveness of its assistance programs and noted that the U.S. remains the largest contributor to health and humanitarian aid worldwide.
Gelineau's focus on the aid workers, particularly those who are LGBTQ+, highlights a less-discussed aspect of the aid cuts. While many reports have covered the adverse effects on the populations that USAID supported, Gelineau emphasizes the plight of the workers who have lost their jobs and are now facing significant challenges, including a rise in vulnerability to violence and health risks.
To gather information, Gelineau spent months building trust within Nepal's LGBTQ+ community, conducting interviews with former aid workers who have transitioned to sex work. She and her team, including a translator, conducted fieldwork in Kathmandu and Hetauda, where they observed the conditions under which these workers operate. The interviews revealed the dangers these individuals face, including violence from clients and a lack of legal protections.
Gelineau noted that the workers typically earn between $2 to $3 per client, emphasizing the dire economic circumstances that leave them with few options. The reporting sheds light on the broader implications of the USAID cuts, illustrating how the funding reductions have adversely affected not only the recipients of aid but also the individuals who provided that aid.