- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 05 Feb 2025 09:51 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing renewed criticism after reports emerged that it had provided USD 110,000 in funding to a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation linked to Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the deadly 2008 Mumbai attacks. The Washington Examiner reported on February 28, 2024, that the Inspector General for USAID launched an investigation in February 2021 following concerns over the funding.
According to the report, the funds were allocated in 2019 to Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD), a Michigan-based charity that lawmakers have warned shares ties with Pakistan’s Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation (FIF). FIF, which operates as a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was designated a terrorist organisation by the US government in 2016. Despite this designation, the group continued to receive financial support, raising concerns about the oversight of US foreign aid programs.
A US State Department document explicitly links FIF to LeT, stating, "In essence, FIF is JuD with a new name, designed to evade scrutiny and sanctions." This connection to the 2008 Mumbai attacks has heightened concerns about the misuse of international aid.
Elon Musk’s Criticism and Trump’s Executive Order
USAID, which is already facing intense scrutiny from billionaire Elon Musk, now finds itself further embroiled in controversy. Musk has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with USAID’s spending practices, questioning its effectiveness and transparency.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s executive order on American funding for foreign assistance has cast a shadow over USAID’s operations. The order aims to cut financial support to organisations that lack accountability, which could significantly impact USAID’s future funding allocations.
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USAID’s Links To Terrorism And Impact On India
Amjad Taha, a researcher and author, highlighted on social media that USAID had directed approximately USD 110,000 to organisations in South Asia with alleged ties to jihadist groups. The funding scandal underscores the risks of international aid being exploited by terrorist networks under the guise of humanitarian work.
Did you know that USAID provided $110,000 in funding to jihadist groups in South Asia, including one that targeted India? When exposed, they merely launched an internal investigation. USAID funded HHRD, a Michigan-based Islamist charity with ties to jihadist groups, including…
— Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) February 3, 2025
FIF, which received USAID funds, is known for its association with LeT and its political arm, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), both of which have been designated as terror organisations by India and the US. These groups have been instrumental in orchestrating attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, further exacerbating regional tensions.
