By Mark Saludes and Peter Monthienvichienchai
DESPITE the devastating impact of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) funding shutdown on humanitarian operations, Caritas Asia has vowed to continue its work in supporting migrants and refugees across the region.
Dr Benedict Alo D’Rozario, president of Caritas Asia, acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly in light of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) losing nearly half of its $1.5 billion annual funding, a substantial portion of which supported refugee and migrant programs.
“Definitely, this cut will affect them,” D’Rozario said, adding that Caritas Asia also relies on CRS for crucial capacity-building initiatives and staff support.
CRS is the largest recipient of funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has faced a spending freeze, office closures, and significant staff reductions under the Trump administration this week.
The USAID funding cuts would be among the most significant setbacks for CRS, a relief organization established in 1943 by U.S. Catholic bishops to assist World War II survivors in Europe. According to its website, CRS serves over 200 million people across 121 countries on five continents.
The shutdown has already severely impacted Bangladesh, D’Rozario said, with more than 100 USAID-backed projects from various organizations—totaling over $200 million—coming to an abrupt halt, affecting thousands of workers and vulnerable families.
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