NEW YORK CITY: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed serious concern about severe cuts in funding provided by the US, which are affecting a wide range of vital humanitarian and development programs.
He warned that the reductions, which are a result of recent budget decisions by Washington, could have devastating consequences for vulnerable populations around the world.
In the past 48 hours, UN agencies and numerous nongovernmental organizations involved with humanitarian and developmental work have received alarming reports about the effects of the funding cuts, which are affecting essential services “from development to the fight against terrorism and illicit drug trafficking.”
UN agencies began cutting back global aid operations last month after the Trump administration ordered a 90-day suspension of all foreign assistance provided by the US. Humanitarian programs around the world have been forced to lay off staff and scale back their operations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said that the funding freeze would not affect life-saving aid, which includes essential services such as “core medicine, medical services, food, shelter, subsistence assistance and supplies.” It would target aid programs related to abortion, family planning or “gender ideology,” he added.
However, the immediate effect of the suspension was a broad reduction in humanitarian assistance worldwide. Only emergency food programs and military aid to allies Israel and Egypt were exempted by the US.
Guterres said the funding freeze is already having severe effects in several high-need regions and added: “These cuts will be especially devastating for vulnerable people around the world. From war-torn regions to areas struck by natural disasters, the loss of support will leave millions more at risk.”
He highlighted the ways in which critical programs in countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan and Ukraine are being severely affected. In Afghanistan, more than 9 million people are at risk of losing vital health and protection services, as the work of hundreds of mobile health teams is suspended.
In northeastern Syria, where 2.5 million people rely on humanitarian assistance, the cuts have left large populations increasingly vulnerable. In war-torn Ukraine, where cash-based programs helped a million people last year, the suspension of key US support will directly affect the most vulnerable people in conflict zones. In South Sudan, a lack of funding for programs that provide support for refugees from Sudan has caused overcrowding in border areas, worsening an already dire situation.
Funding cuts are also forcing the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to halt crucial counternarcotics programs, including efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis, and significantly reduce its work on human trafficking cases.
Funding for life-saving health programs that tackle HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera has also stopped.
Guterres acknowledged the long-standing contributions made by the US to global humanitarian efforts, but stressed that the funding freeze is detrimental not only to the countries that receive aid but also to the wider global community, including America’s own interests.
“American funding directly supports people living through wars, famines and disasters, providing essential health care, shelter, water, food and education — the list goes on,” he said.
“The generosity and compassion of the American people have not only saved lives, built peace and improved the state of the world, they have contributed to the stability and prosperity that Americans depend on.
“Going through with these cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe and less prosperous.”
Such reductions in funding will harm American interests globally, Guterres said, because US support has played a crucial role in maintaining peace, security and prosperity worldwide.
“The reduction of America’s humanitarian role and influence will run counter to American interests,” he added.
He expressed hope that the recent funding decisions can be reviewed and reversed. He also emphasized the role played by other countries and urged them to step up their humanitarian contributions to help fill the gap left by Washington’s actions.
Meanwhile, UN agencies and humanitarian coordinators are actively working on strategies to mitigate the effects of the funding cuts and protect as much of their lifesaving work as possible, Guterres said.
The UN’s Inter-Agency Standing Committee, which coordinates the work of humanitarian agencies and their partners, has formulated an ambitious plan to prioritize and enhance efficiency in the face of the funding challenges.
