UNITED NATIONS — UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned that more than nine million people in Afghanistan could lose access to essential services following a sharp reduction in U.S. foreign aid.
“In Afghanistan, more than nine million people could lose access to health and protection services, as hundreds of mobile health teams and other critical programs face suspension,” Guterres said in a statement, adding that such cuts would make the world “less healthy, less safe, and less prosperous.”
The United Nations estimates that nearly 23 million Afghans will require humanitarian assistance in 2025.
The Trump administration this week announced significant reductions in foreign aid after pausing assistance to conduct a review ensuring that projects align with Trump’s “America First” policy. As part of the cuts, funding for programs combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria has been halted.
“Going through with these cuts will diminish America’s humanitarian role and influence globally, running counter to U.S. interests,” Guterres said. “I can only hope these decisions will be reversed based on more careful reviews.”
He added that every UN agency stands ready to provide justification for its programs and that the organization remains committed to delivering life-saving aid.
The U.S. is not alone in scaling back humanitarian funding. Britain also announced this week that it would cut its international aid budget to increase defense spending, drawing criticism from humanitarian groups who warned of severe consequences for those relying on UK support.
Since taking office in January, Trump has disrupted the global development community by ordering a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid while conducting a broad assessment of U.S.-funded projects. The move has led to widespread uncertainty about the future of American assistance abroad.
