British News Agency

An investigation revealed that several of the world’s poorest countries have started paying millions of dollars to lobbyists linked to Donald Trump in an effort to compensate for cuts in U.S. foreign aid.

Somalia, Haiti, and Yemen are among 11 countries that signed major lobbying deals with figures directly connected to the U.S. president following reductions in American humanitarian aid.

The Global Witness investigation showed that many states have begun exchanging key natural resources, including minerals, for humanitarian or military assistance.

USAID officially shut its doors last week after being dismantled by Trump. Experts warn that the move could result in more than 14 million preventable deaths over five years.

Emily Stewart, head of transition minerals policy at Global Witness, said the situation may lead to Washington deals becoming “more unfavorable for low-income and desperate countries,” making them increasingly vulnerable to ruthless exploitation of their natural resources.

Documents show that in the six months following last November’s U.S. elections, contracts worth $17 million (12.5 million pounds) were signed between Trump-linked lobbying firms and some of the least developed countries receiving the most aid from USAID.

Filings submitted under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act reveal that some countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has faced mass displacement and conflict for years due to its mineral wealth, signed multiple contracts.