The Biden administration's proposed funding for diverse international initiatives has faced significant scrutiny, leading to a reevaluation of financial allocations.
The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire
Elon Musk, has released a new list detailing international projects that were intended to receive funding under President
Joe Biden's administration.
Among the proposed allocations, $10 million was designated for voluntary male medical circumcision programs in Mozambique, while the University of California, Berkeley was to receive $9.7 million to develop a group of young Cambodian entrepreneurs in skiing.
Canceled projects also included $2.3 million aimed at strengthening independent voices in Cambodia, and $14 million intended for enhancing public procurement in Serbia.
Additionally, approximately $486 million was allocated for a Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.
Other notable allocations included $22 million for funding an inclusive and participatory process in Moldova, and $21 million for electoral participation in India.
In Bangladesh, $29 million was earmarked for strengthening the political landscape, while $1.5 million was to be used to increase voter confidence in Liberia.
Furthermore, $14 million was planned for contributions to social cohesion in Mali, alongside $2.5 million intended to promote inclusive democracies in South Africa, and $47 million allocated for improving learning outcomes in Asia.
The announcement also outlined distribution of $32 million to the Center for Civil Society in Prague, and $40 million to the Center for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment.
In Nepal, $20 million was projected for the development of fiscal federalism, and $19 million for biodiversity discussions.
The projects initiated by the Biden administration have come under fire following the suspension of funding by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt explained in late January that the newly established Government Efficiency Commission, along with the Office of Management and Budget, identified that $50 million of taxpayer dollars would have been spent on funding condoms in Gaza.
Additionally, $612,000 was allocated for technical assistance in family planning in Latin America, while $102.2 million was flagged for the International Medical Corps, which manages hospitals and provides humanitarian aid in Gaza—a region currently facing severe infrastructure challenges.
These revelations have prompted discussions about the appropriateness and effectiveness of international funding proposals amidst arguments surrounding fiscal responsibility and accountability to taxpayers.