‘Designated terrorists’: Extremist groups raked in millions from USAID, multi-year study reveals
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has come under scrutiny for providing millions of dollars in funding to extremist groups tied to designated terrorist organizations and their allies, according to a report published by the Middle East Forum, a U.S. think tank. The conservative think tank’s multi-year study of USAID and State Department spending revealed that $164 million in approved grants were allocated to radical organizations, with at least $122 million going to groups aligned with designated terrorists and their supporters.
One of the key findings of the report was that USAID had provided more than $900,000 to a Gaza-based terror charity called Bayader Association for Environment and Development. Despite its purported goal of building a civil society in Gaza, Bayader has close ties to the Hamas regime, with its annual report highlighting coordination with various Hamas ministries. USAID officials even received awards from Bayader, further highlighting the agency’s involvement with the terror-linked charity.
Additionally, the report uncovered a $12.5 million grant approved by USAID in 2024 for the American Near East Refugee Agency, a long-standing partner of Bayader. The American Near East Refugee Agency, established in 1968 to assist refugees following the Arab-Israeli War, was found to have employees who publicly expressed violent and extremist views on social media.
Furthermore, USAID funds totaling $125,000 were found to have been directed to the Islamic Relief Agency (ISRA) in 2015, despite the group being designated as a global terrorist organization due to its ties to Osama bin Laden. The funds were channeled through the evangelical charity World Vision, which works to provide clean water in Sudan.
In response to the report, USAID announced that nearly all personnel would be placed on leave by Friday, with exceptions made for mission-critical functions. The agency, led by interim director Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is currently facing potential reorganization and abolition following the investigation by the Department of Government Efficiency and its chair, Elon Musk.
As the future of USAID remains uncertain, lawmakers, news outlets, and think tanks continue to scrutinize the agency’s spending practices. The potential integration of certain missions, bureaus, and offices into the Department of State, as well as the abolition of the remainder of the agency, is being considered in consultation with Congress.
In conclusion, the report by the Middle East Forum sheds light on the troubling allocation of funds by USAID to extremist groups and organizations tied to terrorism. As the agency faces calls for reorganization and potential abolition, the need for greater oversight and accountability in foreign aid distribution becomes increasingly apparent.
