USAID’s Blockchain Overhaul: A Recipe for Disaster? 🤖

🤯 “Blockchain? What Blockchain? 🤔”

USAID’s Blockchain Overhaul: A Recipe for Disaster? 🤖

Oh joy, another brilliant idea from the Trump administration: rebranding USAID as the US International Humanitarian Assistance (IHA) and forcing them to use blockchain technology to track aid distribution. Because, you know, what could possibly go wrong with throwing more tech at a complex problem? 🤷‍♂️

According to a memo that’s been reported by Politico (because who doesn’t love a good Politico scoop?), the agency will be renamed, rebranded, and reimagined as a shiny new blockchain-powered aid-dispensing machine. And, of course, it’ll be done with the utmost efficiency and transparency. 🕰️

But wait, there’s more! The memo claims that blockchain technology will “radically increase security, transparency, and traceability” in aid distribution. Because, you know, the current system is clearly riddled with corruption and inefficiency. 🙄

Experts, however, are not convinced. Linda Raftree, a consultant for humanitarian organizations, says, “It feels like a fake technological solution for a problem that doesn’t exist.” Giulio Coppi, a senior humanitarian officer at Access Now, added, “There’s no proven advantage that it’s cheaper or better.” 🤔

But hey, who needs experience or expertise when you’ve got blockchain, right? The UN Refugee Agency has already experimented with stablecoins to provide cash to Ukrainians displaced by war. And the Kenya Red Cross has tested blockchain projects. Maybe, just maybe, this will all work out in the end. 🤞

However, experts warn that switching to a new system could be costly and difficult, especially for small NGOs. “The relative cost of new systems is harder for small NGOs,” an anonymous said. Oh, the horror! 🤯

Critics say the push for blockchain may be part of the administration’s broader claims that USAID is inefficient or corrupt. But Raftree disagrees, saying, “It’s not like USAID was delivering tons of cash to people who hadn’t done things.” 🙄

So, there you have it. Another brilliant idea from the Trump administration, guaranteed to make a mess of things. Who’s excited? 🎉

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2025-03-21 20:58