United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that significant cuts to U.S. foreign assistance could render the world “less healthy, less safe and less prosperous.”
In a statement to reporters on Friday, Guterres emphasized that reducing America’s humanitarian role would not only undermine global stability but also run counter to American interests.
The aid reductions—stemming from a review initiated during former President Donald Trump’s administration—have already left vulnerable regions, such as South Sudan, struggling with overcrowded border camps and underfunded health programs.
Guterres noted that programs aimed at combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, as well as counter-narcotics initiatives and efforts to curb human trafficking, are experiencing severe funding shortfalls.
He urged U.S. policymakers to reconsider these cuts, emphasizing that humanitarian aid is critical in preventing the escalation of crises around the world. “Our shared future depends on robust international assistance,” he added.
Guterres concluded that reversing these funding decisions would help safeguard not only the wellbeing of millions worldwide but also the long-term global influence of the United States in promoting peace and development.
