The consequences of severe cuts in U.S. foreign aid will be especially devastating for vulnerable people across the world, and the move will "run counter to" Washington's global interests, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday.
Guterres said at a press conference that he is deeply concerned about information received in the last 48 hours by UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs regarding severe cuts in U.S. funding.
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UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
"These cuts impact a wide range of critical programs. From lifesaving humanitarian aid, to support for vulnerable communities recovering from war or natural disaster. From development, to the fight against terrorism and illicit drug trafficking," he said.
"The consequences will be especially devastating for vulnerable people around the world," the secretary-general added.
Besides impacting vulnerable countries including Afghanistan, Syria, South Sudan, and Ukraine, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime will be forced to stop many of its counter-narcotics programs, including the one fighting the fentanyl crisis, and dramatically reduce activities against human trafficking, Guterres told reporters.
He further urged U.S. leadership to re-evaluate its decision to cut aid to UN agencies and other essential organizations.
"Now, going through with these cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe and less prosperous. 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, and the same applies to other countries that have recently announced reductions in humanitarian and development aid," the UN chief said.
The U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday that it had slashed almost all of multi-year aid contracts after a sweeping pause on existing foreign aid last month.
UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
UN chief warns U.S. foreign aid cuts to "run counter to" Washington's global interests
