UN Aid Chief Warns of Humanitarian Fallout from Funding Cuts
Tom Fletcher, head of the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs, warned that recent cuts to humanitarian aid could have devastating consequences for millions globally, with 300 million people in need of assistance, Al Jazeera reported. He stated, “Many will die because that aid is drying up,” during a briefing in New York on March 13, 2025.
Fletcher highlighted that humanitarian programs are being halted, and staff layoffs are occurring, with reports indicating a 10% reduction in NGO personnel in February. He emphasized the dire situation in Gaza, where supplies are rapidly depleting due to Israel’s blockade on food, medicine, and fuel.
The announcement follows U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s revelation that 83% of USAID programs will be canceled, amounting to a significant reduction in global aid. Fletcher noted that other countries, including the UK and the Netherlands, are also slashing their aid budgets; the UK plans to cut aid spending from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP by 2027, amounting to a loss of approximately £6 billion ($7.7 billion).
Fletcher stressed the UN’s focus on essential life-saving work in areas of dire need, including Gaza. However, he warned that these cuts could hinder efforts against diseases like tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, potentially leading to hundreds of thousands of deaths.
The World Health Organization has already indicated that U.S. funding cuts could severely impact tuberculosis treatment, while Ebola surveillance in Africa is also at risk due to reduced NGO funding.
