New York: The head of the United Nations' humanitarian affairs office, Tom Fletcher, has warned that drastic reductions in global aid funding are having devastating consequences for millions in need.
Speaking at a press briefing at the UN headquarters in New York, Fletcher described the situation as a “seismic shock,” with 300 million people relying on humanitarian assistance.
“Many will die because that aid is drying up,” he cautioned, emphasizing that humanitarian programs worldwide are being halted due to budget cuts. Fletcher also noted that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are being forced to lay off staff, with around 10 percent of NGO workers losing their jobs in February alone.
During his recent visit to Gaza, Fletcher witnessed firsthand the worsening humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s blockade of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and fuel. “Supplies are running out very, very fast,” he said, highlighting that the lack of fuel has led to critical situations in hospitals, where incubators are being shut down. He also described the haunting sight of stray dogs searching for bodies in the rubble of destroyed buildings.
The crisis has been exacerbated by the United States’ decision to drastically cut funding for humanitarian efforts. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83 percent of USAID programs worldwide would be discontinued. While the U.S. has made the most significant reductions, other nations have also slashed their aid budgets.
The United Kingdom, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, recently announced a shift in spending priorities, cutting aid from 0.5 percent of gross national income to 0.3 percent by 2027 to increase military funding. This reduction, amounting to approximately £6 billion ($7.7 billion), will contribute to an annual military budget increase of £13.4 billion ($17 billion) from 2027. Similarly, the Netherlands’ right-wing government declared last year that it would reduce its foreign aid budget by €1 billion ($1.09 billion) over five years.
Fletcher stressed that the UN will prioritize "life-saving work in the areas of direst need," including Gaza, despite shrinking resources. However, global health organizations have raised concerns about the far-reaching effects of these aid cuts.
The World Health Organization has warned that reductions in U.S. funding could severely impact efforts to combat tuberculosis, the world’s deadliest infectious disease. In Africa, Ebola surveillance and HIV/AIDS treatment programs are also at risk, potentially leading to hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths.
With multiple governments scaling back their humanitarian commitments, the future of international aid remains uncertain. Fletcher called for renewed global support, emphasizing the vital role that humanitarian funding has played in saving millions of lives over the years.
