US funding halt endangers global humanitarian efforts
Norsk Folkehjelp warns of the serious consequences of the US decision to stop funding humanitarian aid, as it puts the lives of thousands at risk worldwide.
The humanitarian organisation Norsk Folkehjelp (NF) has voiced its concern over the US president's decision to halt funding to aid institutions globally. Raymond Johansen, the Secretary General of NF, highlighted in an interview with Norwegian media that this decision could have grave consequences for half a million people in countries such as Iraq, Yemen, Laos, and Vietnam.
Based on our estimates, this will have serious repercussions for as many as half a million people in countries like Iraq, Yemen, Laos, and Vietnam - Johansen mentioned, as reported by the Polish Press Agency.
Previously, the US Department of State allocated approximately £33 million annually to NF. Trained NF staff were involved in clearing landmines from agricultural lands and communities in 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Iraq, Yemen, Laos, Vietnam, and Ukraine.
Johansen observed that halting NF's operations could jeopardise the health and lives of refugees returning home. The US decision compelled the organisation to lay off more than half of its staff, totalling 1,700 people.
The budget cuts also impacted Norwegian Caritas, whose budget was reduced by 70 percent. Consequently, more than half of the employees in medical projects in Nigeria and the Central African Republic were laid off.
Global consequences
An example of an organisation affected by the US decision is Save the Children, which assists children worldwide, including in Poland since 2022. Its annual budget was reduced by 20 percent. Gunnvor Knag Fylkesnes from the Norwegian branch of Save the Children stressed that the freeze on aid came at the worst possible time.
The freeze on aid came at the worst possible time. The fact that the United States, being the largest funder of humanitarian aid globally, is freezing funds overnight has severe consequences for those in urgent need - Fylkesnes told the newspaper "VG".
The decision by Donald Trump's administration to halt humanitarian aid funding has ignited a wave of criticism and concerns about the future of many organisations working for those in need globally.
