USAID allocated $29 million to support a controversial political landscape project in Bangladesh without routing the funds through official government channels, according to a senior official from Bangladesh’s NGO affairs bureau.
The bureau oversees NGOs operating with foreign assistance under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance of 1978.
Md Anwar Hossain, director general (In charge) of the NGO affairs bureau, stated in an interview with ANI, “We have not identified the $29 million mentioned by Donald Trump through our bureau. If the NGOs involved were named, we could verify, but so far, the funds don’t reflect in our records.” When asked if USAID bypassed the bureau, Hossain declined to comment.
Hossain mentioned that while the immediate impact of the USAID funding suspension on Bangladesh’s NGO sector is minimal, it could adversely affect funding in the long term.
“Our NGOs receive support from various countries. Although global events like Covid-19 and natural disasters temporarily shift foreign donations, NGOs will likely seek alternative donors to compensate for the USAID shortfall,” he said.
Bangladesh hosts 2,640 registered NGOs, creating numerous jobs in the country. Despite the funding controversy, Hossain confirmed that USAID’s support for Rohingya-related projects remains unaffected, benefiting nearly 70 NGOs in Bangladesh.
The controversy follows comments by US President Donald Trump, who criticised USAID for allegedly channelling $29 million to a little-known firm as part of a political project in Bangladesh. Speaking at the White House, Trump said, “Can you imagine a small firm with two people receiving $29 million? They’ll probably be on the cover of a business magazine soon—for being great scammers.”
The US state department reports that the US has invested over $8 billion in Bangladesh over the past 50 years to improve living standards.
