Bangladesh Government Clarifies USAID Funding Allegations

In response to recent claims regarding a $29 million USAID grant to Bangladesh, the government asserts that no such funds have been recorded. Md Anwar Hossain, Director General of the NGO Affairs Bureau, stated, “We have not seen the amount of money in our records.”

The controversy arose following an announcement by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, detailing cuts of $723 million in foreign aid, including purported allocations of $21 million for India and $29 million for Bangladesh. However, investigations have revealed discrepancies in these claims.

Reports indicate that the alleged $21 million intended for “increasing voter turnout” in India was, in fact, allocated to a non-profit organization in Bangladesh focused on promoting political engagement. This misrepresentation has led to political tensions in both countries.

Hossain emphasized that the NGO Affairs Bureau has no record of the $29 million grant. He explained that while over 75 NGOs in Bangladesh receive funding from USAID and other U.S.-based donors, these funds are typically channeled through government pathways before reaching the respective agencies, and may not always be reflected in the Bureau’s records.

The government is committed to transparency and is actively investigating the matter to provide accurate information to the public.