Ukraine, “Single Biggest Loser?” Anya Hirschfeld ’24 on USAID Budget Cuts

A Doctors Without Borders employee supports a woman, in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, after a Russian missile destroyed her house, on October 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of Doctors Without Borders.

Posted in News | Tagged advocacy, Health Justice, Publications, student spotlight

Amid sweeping budget cuts, Ukraine has become the “single biggest loser” of USAID funding…and its healthcare workers are feeling the strain.

Last week, Anya Hirschfeld (MS ‘24) published an article on how US budget cuts have impacted Ukraine for Think Global Health, an online bulletin initiative from the Council on Foreign Relations. Since the USAID stop-work order, healthcare professionals, from psychologists to doctors, have struggled to meet patient needs, with some programs shuttering entirely. Read the full report in Think Global Health.

“Overnight, all of our programming came to a screeching halt,” the humanitarian organization’s mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) program coordinator explained.

Anya is currently an intern for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations. She graduated from the MS-HAPI program in December of 2024.