UN boss warns: Trump's help could cost millions of life!

UN boss warns: Trump's help could cost millions of life!

Sudan, Land - On January 27, 2025, UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres expressed his concern about President Trump's decision to suspend foreign help. This measure is part of the "America First" agenda of the Trump administration, which aims to realign the US aid policy. Guterres demands exceptions to ensure the continuous provision of essential development and humanitarian activities. The United States is one of the largest donors of foreign aid worldwide.

Trump signed an executive mandate that provides for a 90-day break in foreign development support. This mandate stipulates that US help must be in line with the President's foreign policy. The United States Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the suspension of almost all new funds for foreign aid, with exceptions for Israel and Egypt. Initial aid measures and the associated expenses are excluded from this suspension.

The consequences of the aid break

The measures of the US State Department were defended with the argument that they protect the investments of American taxpayers. However, experts warn that stopping foreign aid could have catastrophic consequences, including the loss of human life and an erosion of national security. The break affects particularly humanitarian aid projects in crisis regions such as Syria, Sudan and the Gaza Strip and stops all global health programs.

Michael Schiffer, a former official of the development agency USAID, made it clear that the interruption of foreign aid will predictably have negative consequences, including the death of children and a weakening of the US alliances. Jeremy Konyndyk, President of Refugees International, emphasized that politics could lead to a significant loss of human life and damage to the global credibility of the United States.

future of humanitarian aid

under the new US administration, led by Peter Marocco, the new head of the Office of Foreign Assistance, immediate stop orchard commands for existing grants were ordered, while these are checked for matching Trump's agenda. Many organizations are already starting to dismiss employees or send them on vacation, which could lead to slowing down or even setting their operations. Only emergency food aid and military aid for Israel and Egypt are affected by the exceptions.

US expenditure for foreign aid accounts for less than 1 % of the total federal expenditure, but the positive effects of these investments on global stability should not be underestimated. The continuation of programs to combat water and cholera eruptions is now also questioned. In particular, the Pepper program, which saved over 25 million lives, could be severely affected by this break.

Abby Maxman, head of Oxfam America, expressed concerns that the suspension of foreign aid could endanger the lives of people in crisis situations. The decision will have a direct impact on the already endangered people in humanitarian crises who are urgently dependent on help. Maxman warned of the negative effects of this policy on crisis in countries such as Sudan, Yemen, Jemen, Syria and the occupied Palestinian areas as well as in less noticeable emergencies such as in the Sahel and for the Rohingya in Bangladesh.

The continuing discussion about foreign aid and its interruption illustrates the profound effects that such political decisions can have on the life of millions of people worldwide. The call to withdraw this decision is getting louder, while the global challenges continue.

For detailed information on the background and developments, read the reports from and Forbes .