More or Less - 14 million deaths or zero deaths? The impact of the USAID cuts
Download 14 million deaths or zero deaths? The impact of the USAID cuts
As part of their mandate to stop 'waste, fraud and abuse' in federal government spending, DOGE, the department of Government Efficiency, made large cuts to the amount of money the US spent on foreign aid.
The task force, headed by Elon Musk, effectively dismantled the US's largest foreign aid agency, USAID - cancelling many of its programmes and absorbing the remainder into the State Department.
This has caused controversy in some circles, with researchers estimating that the cuts could result in the loss of 14 million lives by 2030. Musk strenuously denies this, stating that cuts made by DOGE has resulted in 'zero' deaths.
But who is right, and what are the problems with these sorts of estimates? We speak to Dr Hannah Ritchie to find out more.
If you see numbers that you want us to look into contact moreorless@bbc.co.uk
Presenter/Producer: Lizzy McNeill
Series Producer: Tom Colls
Editor: Richard Vadon
Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound Mix: Neil Churchill
Published on Saturday, 15th August 2026.
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