UN Secretary-General concerned about US funding cuts

Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Gutteres, has expressed deep concern as a result of information from UN agencies and many humanitarian and development NGOs regarding severe cuts in funding by the United States, announced by President, Donald Trump.

“These cuts impact a wide range of critical programmes,” the UN official said at a media briefing on February, 28, 2025 in New York.

He highlighted that the cuts will impact : 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. The consequences will be especially devastating for vulnerable people around the world”.

Gutteres said in Afghanistan, more than nine million people will miss out on health and protection services, with hundreds of mobile health teams and other services suspended.

In north-east Syria, where 2.5 million people need assistance, the absence of US funding means programmes are leaving large populations even more vulnerable.

In Ukraine, cash-based programming- a key feature of the humanitarian response, reaching 1 million people in 2024- has been suspended in key regions.

In South Sudan, funding has run out for programmes to support people who have fled the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, leaving border areas dangerously overcrowded.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime will be forced to stop many of its counter-narcotics programmes, including the one fighting the fentanyl crisis, and dramatically reduce activities against human trafficking, Gutteres said.

And funding for many programmes combatting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera have stopped.

“We have been extremely grateful for the leading role the United States has provided over the decades,” the UN official told media practitioners.

For example, thanks to the generosity of donors- led by the United States- the UN assists and protects more than 100 million people every year through our humanitarian programming. He listed other areas which are, or will be negatively impacted by the US cessation of funding.

“The message is clear. The generosity and compassion of the American people have not only saved lives, built peace and improved the state of the world,” the UN Secretary-General also pointed out.

“United Nations staff members around the world are deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together- as partners.

Now going through with these cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe and less prosperous,” he also said.

“…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.

“In the meantime, every United Nations agency stands ready to provide the necessary information and justification for its projects.

And we look forward to working with the United States in this regard.”