UN Chief warns against US foreign aid cuts, says 'not in US interests'
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The US State Department confirmed that 5,800 out of 6,200 USAID contracts, amounting to $54 billion, have been terminated.
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres speaks during a Security Council meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at the UN headquarters (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned that US President Donald Trump's substantial cuts to US foreign aid and contributions to UN agencies threaten global security and undermine American interests. The Trump administration recently announced a 92% reduction in multi-year aid contracts, targeting approximately $60 billion in savings from development and humanitarian programs.
The US State Department confirmed that 5,800 out of 6,200 USAID contracts, amounting to $54 billion, have been terminated. Additionally, 4,100 State Department grants worth $4.4 billion have been eliminated. The cuts are part of Trump's "America First" agenda to redirect US resources domestically.
"The generosity & compassion of the American people have not only saved lives, built peace & improved the state of the world.
— United Nations (@UN) February 28, 2025
They have contributed to the stability & prosperity that Americans depend on."
– @antonioguterres says funding cuts will make the world less healthy,… pic.twitter.com/afOY8cXsD3
Guterres cautioned that reducing America's humanitarian role could have severe consequences, stating, "The reduction of America's humanitarian role and influence will run counter to American interests globally. I can only hope that these decisions can be reversed based on more careful reviews."
He noted that US funding supports essential humanitarian assistance worldwide, including health care, food, shelter, water, and education in war zones such as Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine.
Legal Challenges
Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office, imposing a 90-day freeze on all US foreign aid to review overseas spending. A federal judge ordered the administration to unfreeze the aid within two days, but the Trump administration filed an emergency petition to the US Supreme Court, which issued an administrative stay, temporarily blocking the lower court's order.
International humanitarian organizations warned of severe consequences for vulnerable populations. Programs addressing HIV, malaria, and maternal and child health are among those affected. The cuts are expected to disrupt essential services in conflict zones, worsening humanitarian crises.
Read morfe: Trump admin halts global supply of lifesaving HIV, malaria drugs
Guterres noted that the cuts impact millions of lives, including refugees and internally displaced people who rely on US-funded programs. "From Gaza to Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine, US funding directly supports people living through wars, famines, and disasters," he said.
