Cuts in US aid: 14 million deaths threatened worldwide!

Cuts in US aid: 14 million deaths threatened worldwide!

Global support for development and aid programs faces a serious threat. A recent study published in the renowned medical journal The Lancet published warns that an 83% reduction in America's international aid funding budget could result in over 14 million additional deaths by 2030. This would include a shocking 4.5 million children under the age of five, which corresponds to around 700,000 additional child deaths every year.

The analysis outlines the potential impact of these cuts and highlights that the health gains made over the last two decades are at risk. Davide Rasella, co-author of the study, highlights that USAID programs prevented an estimated 91 million deaths in low- and middle-income countries between 2001 and 2021.

The concerns of the UN and experts

The study's alarming findings coincide with an international conference on financing for development in Spain, which the United States is not attending. UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) are calling for measures to mitigate the negative effects of financial cuts. According to UNICEF representative Fouzia Shafique, the 4.8 million deaths of children under five in 2023 are “4.8 million too many”.

Regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are particularly affected, where noticeable losses in medical care are already being observed. Clinics are closing, medical staff are becoming scarce, and vaccination programs are idle. The Republican government under Donald Trump has also announced that it will cancel almost all programs of the US development agency USAID. Loud Le Matin USAID's annual budget was approximately $42.8 billion.

Consequences for the future

Without political decisions and targeted investments, the decline in child mortality recorded since 2000, which has amounted to more than 50%, could reverse again. UNICEF head Catherine Russell warns that successes in health care will be at risk in the future if countries do not stabilize their aid funds. A stagnating increase of over 1.9 million stillbirths is already being reported, which is due to inadequate medical care during pregnancy and birth.

The WHO has stated that targeted measures and investments in health infrastructure could significantly improve the lives of many families. Current estimates show that the annual under-five mortality rate is 4.8 million, showing that the necessary support is essential for sustained progress to combat life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhoea. This could save the lives of many children.

Given these frightening statistics and the looming funding shortages, it is important to call for a return to humane values ​​at the political level. The future shows a need for cooperation and support so as not to jeopardize the progress already made. The global community is facing a serious challenge and everyone is needed.

In this difficult situation, there remains hope that new solutions and strategies will soon come to the table to ensure global health standards and, in particular, to protect the vulnerable groups in our society. Because without risk and commitment, the dark side of international support could soon become a reality.

Current developments are alarming and require immediate attention. The support we provide today could be crucial to the future of millions of people around the world.

For further information see also the reports from evangelisch.de.