The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over significant cuts to United States (U.S) foreign assistance, describing them as potentially catastrophic for vulnerable populations around the world, Reuters reported.
“Going through with these cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe and less prosperous.
“The reduction of America’s humanitarian role and influence will run counter to American interests globally,” Guterres said in a statement to reporters at the UN on Friday.
The cuts, which were announced by the administration of former President Donald Trump, come after a pause in U.S. foreign aid to allow a review of all assistance programmes.
The review, aimed at ensuring that aid projects align with the “America First” policy, has led to a sharp reduction in funding for various international programmes.
Guterres noted that the reduction in U.S. support had already left programmes in South Sudan, which aid people fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan, without the necessary funding.
This has resulted in dangerously overcrowded border areas. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is also facing a halt to many of its counter-narcotics initiatives, including efforts to address the fentanyl crisis, while programmes to combat human trafficking have been dramatically scaled back.
Additionally, funding for health initiatives targeting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria has been stopped.
“I can only hope that these decisions can be reversed based on more careful reviews, and the same applies to other countries that have recently announced reductions in humanitarian and development aid,” Guterres said.
He noted that every UN agency remains committed to providing life-saving aid to those in need, despite the funding challenges.
The U.S. State Department has stated that it evaluated more than 6,000 multi-year aid awards and eliminated nearly 5,800, amounting to a $54 billion reduction in aid. Additionally, nearly 30 per cent of foreign aid-related grants administered by the State Department were cut, totalling $4.4 billion.
(The PUNCH)
