US Funding Pause Leaves Millions ‘in Jeopardy’, Insist UN Humanitarians
2025-02-04 12:00 UTC
Authors: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Summary:
The United Nations has expressed grave concerns over the impact of the recent US funding pause on millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. The pause, which began on February 1, 2025, has affected funding for critical programs in several countries, putting lives at risk.
Affected Programs and Countries:
The US funding pause has impacted a wide range of humanitarian programs, including:
- Food aid: The World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to reduce or suspend food distributions in several countries, including Yemen, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
- Health services: The World Health Organization (WHO) has had to scale back essential health services, such as immunization campaigns and disease surveillance.
- Shelter and non-food items: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been unable to provide adequate shelter and non-food items to refugees and internally displaced persons.
Consequences for Affected Populations:
The UN has warned that the consequences of the funding pause could be severe:
- Increased hunger: Millions of people could face food shortages and malnutrition, particularly in conflict-affected countries.
- Spread of disease: The suspension of health services could lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases and hinder efforts to control existing epidemics.
- Displacement and vulnerability: The lack of shelter and non-food items could force people to flee their homes and increase their vulnerability to violence and exploitation.
UN Response:
The UN has appealed to the US government to reconsider the funding pause and restore funding for humanitarian programs. The organization has also urged other donors to step up and fill the funding gap.
Quotes:
- “The US funding pause is putting millions of people in jeopardy,” said Mark Lowcock, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. “We cannot afford to leave the most vulnerable behind.”
- “This is a critical moment for humanitarian assistance,” said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “We must not let politics stand in the way of saving lives.”
Additional Information:
- The US is the largest donor to humanitarian assistance worldwide, providing approximately $8.5 billion in 2023.
- The funding pause was reportedly implemented due to concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of certain UN agencies.
- The US government has stated that it is reviewing its funding mechanisms and will continue to support humanitarian efforts.
US funding pause leaves millions ‘in jeopardy’, insist UN humanitarians
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