US Funding Pause Leaves Millions ‘in Jeopardy’, Insist UN Humanitarians
February 4, 2025
By Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS, United States—The US government’s unexpected suspension of funding to the United Nations humanitarian agencies has put millions of lives at risk, according to a somber statement released by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. Guterres appealed to the US to reconsider their decision, noting that the pause in funding is occurring at a critical time for many vulnerable populations around the world.
“Millions of people, including women, children and the elderly, rely on the support of UN agencies for their survival,” Guterres said. “The suspension of this funding is a matter of grave concern and could have life-threatening consequences.”
The United States is currently the largest contributor to the UN’s humanitarian budget, providing over $8 billion for 2024-2025. The Trump administration has stated that the funding freeze was part of “a broader review of US foreign assistance,” and that the US would continue to “support the most vulnerable populations in the world through other channels.”
However, UN officials have warned that the pause in US funding is likely to have a devastating impact on lifesaving programs, including food assistance, nutrition support, and protection for refugees and displaced people. Mark Lowcock, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said that the funding cut “will result in direct and immediate harm to the world’s most vulnerable people.”
“We are losing an opportunity to prevent widespread suffering and death,” he warned. “The US has always been a major champion of humanitarian assistance, and we urge them to reconsider this decision and restore funding to these vital programs.”
The suspension in US funding comes at a time when humanitarian needs are already skyrocketing. Natural disasters, conflict, and political instability have displaced millions of people worldwide, straining the resources of humanitarian agencies. The loss of US funding will exacerbate these challenges, making it even more difficult to deliver aid to those in need.
UN agencies are now racing against time to find alternative sources of funding. However, it is unlikely that they will be able to fully replace the funding that the US has suspended. This means that critical aid programs will have to be cut or scaled back, impacting millions of vulnerable people.
The US government’s decision to suspend funding has been met with widespread condemnation from humanitarian organizations, aid workers, and human rights groups. Many have accused the Trump administration of abandoning its humanitarian obligations and putting the lives of innocent civilians at risk.
The Trump administration has defended its decision, arguing that the US needs to reduce its foreign aid spending and that other countries should step up their contributions to humanitarian assistance. However, critics have argued that the US has a moral obligation to help those in need, regardless of its own economic challenges.
The funding freeze is expected to remain in place until the US government completes its review of foreign assistance. In the meantime, UN agencies are appealing to other countries to contribute more money to humanitarian aid programs. They are also urging the US government to reconsider its decision and restore funding to these critical programs.
US funding pause leaves millions ‘in jeopardy’, insist UN humanitarians
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