UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the Trump administration on Friday about the “devastating” effects of proposed humanitarian aid cuts, saying they would run counter to US interests.
Guterres expressed “deep concern” over information received in the past 48 hours regarding “significant cuts to American funding” for UN agencies and humanitarian and development NGOs.
"These cuts impact a wide range of critical programmes," Mr. Guterres said at a press briefing on Friday. "The consequences will be particularly devastating for vulnerable populations worldwide," he warned.
He also noted that the cuts would have an impact on the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
“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. "I can only hope that these decisions will be reconsidered following a more thorough review."
The United States is by far the largest contributor to the United Nations.
The Trump administration announced on Wednesday that it would massively slash international aid, cutting 92% of funding for overseas programmes from the US Agency for International Development (USAID). It claimed this would “save nearly $60 billion for taxpayers.”
On his first day in office, President Trump signed an executive order demanding a 90-day freeze on all US foreign aid, to reassess each expenditure.
“From Gaza to Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine and beyond. American funding directly supports people living through wars, famines and disasters, providing essential health care, shelter, water, food and education, the list goes on, the UN Secretary-General said.
