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Some Aid Workers Turn To Sex Work Amid USAID Cuts

Some Aid Workers Turn To Sex Work Amid USAID Cuts

Author: What A Day August 28, 2026 Duration: 18:36
What A Day
NewsDaily
Yesterday, we heard from former USAID administrator Dr. Atul Gawande about the lives lost because of the gutting of the United States Agency for International Development. On today's show, we focus on people in Nepal and their experiences before and after the cuts to foreign assistance. In Nepal, USAID helped fund organizations whose efforts centered on fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS. And some of those organizations employed transgender aid workers, who are living in a country where existing outside the gender binary is generally forbidden. But after the cuts to USAID, many of these trans women have resorted to sex work – putting themselves at risk for the same disease they worked so hard to stop. To learn more about their stories, we spoke with Kristen Gelineau, a global investigative reporter for the Associated Press who visited Nepal in the spring.

Each afternoon, the team at What A Day sorts through the overwhelming rush of headlines to bring you clarity and context. This daily podcast cuts through the noise of the 24-hour news cycle, focusing on the few stories that truly matter and explaining why they’re important. You’ll get a smart, concise breakdown of the day’s biggest developments in politics, culture, and everything in between, delivered with a mix of sharp analysis and a necessary dose of humor. It’s designed for anyone who wants to stay informed but feels exhausted by the constant churn of information. The conversation feels like catching up with a well-informed friend who can highlight the key points, connect the dots, and occasionally find the absurdity in it all. Tuning into this podcast means ending your day actually understanding how the news fits together, rather than just remembering scattered soundbites. The pace is brisk but thorough, making it a perfect companion for your commute, evening walk, or while making dinner. It’s a straightforward tool for navigating a complicated world, transforming the day’s chaos into a coherent narrative you can use.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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