After President Donald Trump implemented a humanitarian aid freeze during his administration, several countries followed suit by reducing or halting humanitarian funding.
- Numerous countries followed the U.S. by reducing or halting humanitarian funding
- The countries which include the UK, Netherland, and Switzerland, have announced significant cuts in their overseas aid budgets
- Global health programs combating HIV, polio, smallpox, and bird flu have been severely affected by the aid freeze
The hardest-hit by the U.S. humanitarian aid cuts were the least-developed nations, including several African countries that had long relied on international aid for essential support.
Leading the list of now-defunct organizations is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Before Trump’s sanctions, USAID was the largest humanitarian donor, disbursing over $314.3 billion between 2014 and 2024.
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However, Trump accused the agency of corruption and inefficiency, claiming it failed to meet expectations.
As a result of its shutdown, chaos has ensued in HIV-stricken regions, where the organization had been responsible for providing life-saving HIV drugs and testing kits to millions worldwide.
Additionally, health programs aimed at combating polio, mpox, and bird flu have been severely affected due to the freeze on tens of billions of dollars in overseas aid from the U.S., according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The global impact of these aid cuts continues to raise concerns, particularly in vulnerable regions where medical and humanitarian assistance is critical.
Status of global aid in 2025
Conflicts and environmental crises have driven unprecedented humanitarian needs.
In 2025, the Middle East and North Africa became the primary focus of aid due to conflicts in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon, receiving $15.9 billion, followed by $12 billion for Eastern and Southern Africa.
The UN has appealed for $47.4 billion to address global humanitarian demands.
The World Food Programme (WFP) needs $16.9 billion to address food shortages in conflict and climate-affected regions, while UNICEF has appealed for $9.9 billion to support 109 million children, calling 2024 one of the worst years for children in crisis.
In 2023, global foreign aid spending hit a record $223 billion (£180 billion) (OECD), but analysts warn it has peaked as wealthy nations move to cut aid budgets.
In 2024, eight countries announced $17.2 billion in ODA cuts, with three others planning further reductions over five years.
The Guardian reports these figures exclude U.S. aid cuts, following President Donald Trump’s executive orders to withdraw from the WHO and freeze U.S. foreign aid for 90 days.
A survey of 246 NGOs found that by February 18, 2025, 74% in Asia and 63% in the Pacific had received stop-work orders, disrupting aid operations. With rising needs and shrinking funds, millions remain at risk.
Governments slashing overseas aid budgets
Following Trump’s actions, several other countries have adopted an “America First”-style approach by cutting aid to numerous nations, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Five such countries include:
United Kingdom
The UK will cut its overseas aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of national income, reducing funding from £15.3 billion (2023) to £9.2 billion (2027).
Announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the move aims to boost defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. The cut will likely affect climate finance, which is funded from the aid budget, already reduced from 0.7% to 0.5% in 2021 before COP26.
Netherlands
The Dutch government is cutting €2.4 billion from its development aid budget starting in 2027, reducing it from €6.1 billion to €3.8 billion.
This will lower aid from 0.62% of GNI (2024) to 0.44% by 2029. The shift prioritizes economic and security interests, aligning aid with Dutch trade, migration, and expertise in water management, food security, and health.
Switzerland
The U.S. aid freeze is already affecting Swiss NGOs, prompting Switzerland to withdraw funding from UNAIDS, UNESCO, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in 2025.
The Swiss Parliament has cut CHF 110 million ($121 million) from its 2025 international cooperation budget, with further reductions planned through 2028.
These cuts will end Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) programs in Albania, Bangladesh, and Zambia, while projects in Ukraine, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will also be discontinued, leading to over 100 staff layoffs at the Swiss Protestant Reformed Church (HEKS) relief fund.
Germany
In 2022, Germany was the OECD’s second-largest donor after the United States and the EU’s largest bilateral aid provider. As a share of gross national income (GNI), Germany was also the most generous G7 country in foreign aid contributions.
However, Germany’s latest budget outlines major cuts to aid and development spending. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development faces a reduction of over $1 billion, while humanitarian aid will be halved, marking a significant shift in the country’s commitment to global assistance.
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France
By 2023, France had become the fifth-largest international donor, following the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom, according to the OECD.
However, as part of its €32 billion budget cuts for 2025, France plans to reduce public development aid by up to 40%, which would lower its contribution to 0.45% of GNI.
French NGOs focused on international solidarity have expressed deep concern over the impact on vulnerable populations, especially as the United States, the world’s largest aid provider, prepares to withdraw its support entirely.
