The new research underscores a looming humanitarian crisis, suggesting that significant reductions in US funding for foreign aid could result in an alarming increase in premature deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Trump's Proposed Cuts to Global Aid Could Lead to 14 Million Deaths by 2030, Study Warns
Trump's Proposed Cuts to Global Aid Could Lead to 14 Million Deaths by 2030, Study Warns
A recent study published in The Lancet highlights catastrophic potential consequences of Trump's foreign aid budget cuts.
Research published on Monday in The Lancet medical journal indicates that drastic cuts to U.S. foreign humanitarian aid under former President Donald Trump may lead to more than 14 million additional deaths by the year 2030. Alarmingly, one-third of these potential casualties are projected to be children. The data highlights that Trump’s administration, spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has reduced over 80% of programs at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Co-author Davide Rasella, associated with the Barcelona Institute for Global Health, stated that the adverse effects resulting from these funding cuts could equate to a global pandemic or significant armed conflict for many low- and middle-income countries. The report emphasizes that the proposed funding cuts could sabotage nearly two decades of advancements in health for vulnerable populations.
Research findings, referencing data from 133 countries, suggest that USAID support is credited with preventing approximately 91 million deaths in developing nations between 2001 and 2021. Predictive modeling projects that a possible 83% slashing in funding could lead to over 14 million avoidable deaths by 2030—comprising around 4.5 million children under the age of five, equating to roughly 700,000 child fatalities annually.
The Trump-led administration, part of a broader austerity initiative linked to billionaire Elon Musk, has faced criticism for its stance, claiming that USAID disproportionately funds liberal projects. Rubio further clarified that around 1,000 programs would still operate more effectively under the State Department with Congressional support.
Despite these reassurances, the humanitarian situation has reportedly worsened. UN representatives revealed last month that numerous individuals are facing severe food shortages, evidenced by cases of malnutrition among infants in Kenyan refugee camps following U.S. funding cuts. The disturbing narratives from those witnessingsuch hunger underline the potential consequences of policy changes in international aid.
