Global Aid Cuts Raise Alarm as Millions Face Increased Risk, Reports Warn

Global Aid Cuts Raise Alarm as Millions Face Increased Risk, Reports Warn
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A sharp decline in international aid is raising serious concerns about worsening humanitarian conditions worldwide, with experts warning that millions of lives could be at risk if funding trends continue.

Preliminary data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows that official development assistance fell by 23.1% in 2025, the largest annual drop on record, decreasing from $215.1 billion in 2024 to $174.3 billion.

The reduction reflects widespread cuts among major donor countries, with the United States alone accounting for a significant portion of the decline.

Humanitarian aid has been particularly affected, falling by 35.8%, alongside major reductions in funding for development programmes.

Analysts warn that these cuts are already impacting vulnerable populations, including refugees and low-income communities that depend on external assistance for food, healthcare, and basic services.

A recent study published in The Lancet and cited by international policy sources estimates that over 9 million additional deaths, including around 2.5 million children, could occur by 2030 if aid reductions persist.

The OECD has also cautioned that further declines are expected in 2026, potentially deepening global poverty and instability.