Development Aid – What is Next?

The recent USAID Stop Work Orders have stunned the entire development sector around the world and leaves thousands of practitioners in trouble regarding the future of their programs and careers. The immediate cessation of funding has triggered a wave of panic as most of the organizations are now racing to control operational interruptions and their staff stare at the non-ending threat of layoffs and lack of job security.

The withdrawal from the USAID- funded programs is bound to have some far-reaching ramifications, especially in areas plagued by conflict, poverty, and instability where the needs are dire. Aside from the operational crisis that is sure to emerge, there is also the risk of thousands of development practitioners being put into some kind of slippery position with their career. For professionals in the field, it is not just a matter of financial strain, but feeling profoundly insecure about the continuation of any type of meaningful work. Practitioners fear that their profession is no longer insulated from political changes, and as such, uncertain about their position in a sector that offers hope to millions of people around the globe.

This unanticipated decision has cast a shadow over the development sector in Bangladesh, where thousands of professionals are directly employed by development agencies—many of which rely heavily on USAID funding. This abrupt halt in operations has placed their careers at significant risk. Although most USAID implementers have not yet initiated staff terminations, the uncertainty has created widespread anxiety. The most important question is: what is next? How can this group of development professionals in Bangladesh move forward in this turbulence? In the face of these uncertainties, without a compass, the situation at hand may spiral out of control, therefore one may require to immediately adapt and strategize to ensure both survival and growth at the same time. This means new foci, tasks, and perhaps even relationships and forms of work which have not yet been explored will have to be established.

Development Professionals must be proactive in amending their work and the language used to explain their skills and expertise while brainstorming for novel solutions that can be used in this dynamic environment. However, as this new world emerges, finding profit – driven, practical, solutions and maintaining a sustainable approach will be a challenge and will require doctors of strategy who can think on their toes. It is essential to have internal strategy discussions, examining what works and what services and technical inputs are currently offered, to ascertain if they can shift and change how they do things. As development issues change, the ability to redefine positions and seek new forms of collaboration will be crucial.

It’s important, however, to not let everything completely fall apart. This disorder and uncertainty do create a need to further be aware of these emergent, however, along with this staying healthy and making clear efforts to the work still needs to be prioritized. More so, practitioners should encourage development in themselves and their companies for more efficient ways of working. This covers the diversifying of funding options, establishing relationships with non-conventional stakeholders, and the adoption of new strategic approaches. Realigning with these new emerging challenges, being able to address them with agility and grit is the most pragmatic approach in the days ahead.