Trump’s Aid Reductions Could Result in 14 Million Lives Lost, New Study Warns**

A recent study highlights alarming projections regarding the impact of US aid cuts under President Trump's administration, predicting over 14 million preventable deaths by 2030, with a significant portion affecting children.**

President Donald Trump's decision to slash foreign humanitarian aid funding could foreseeably result in the deaths of over 14 million individuals by the year 2030, according to a recent study published in The Lancet medical journal. The report emphasizes that approximately one-third of those at risk are children, raising significant concerns about the future of vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries.

The research co-authored by Davide Rasella warns that the repercussions of these funding cuts may represent a crisis comparable to a major global pandemic or a severe armed conflict. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated in March that more than 80% of programs at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) had been terminated, a move the Trump administration justified as eliminating wasteful expenditure. Notably, the cuts gained further visibility due to Elon Musk's leadership of efforts aimed at reducing federal workforce spending.

Under the "America First" ideology promoted by Trump during his second term, there is growing concern that these cuts could undo two decades of health advancements for those most in need. Rasella noted that previous funding from USAID had been instrumental in preventing over 90 million deaths in developing nations from 2001 to 2021. The study estimated that reducing USAID funding by 83% would lead to an alarming spike in death rates, including the tragic loss of over 4.5 million children under five.

The Lancet's findings emerged as global leaders convened at a significant United Nations-led aid conference in Seville, Spain, where the US is notably absent. Historically being the foremost humanitarian aid provider, the US operated in more than 60 countries, with a reported international aid expenditure of $68 billion (£55 billion) in 2023. With Trump’s announced cuts, other nations, including the UK, France, and Germany, are also scaling back their aid contributions.

Humanitarian organizations have widely condemned the proposed reductions, characterizing them as unprecedented reductions in international humanitarian assistance. The United Nations recently reported experiencing “the deepest funding cuts ever” in the humanitarian sector, underscoring the gravity of the situation. While Rubio's statements suggested that around 1,000 US programs might remain, the reality on the ground is dire.

Recent observations from UN officials reveal troubling conditions, such as those of individuals in Kenyan refugee camps facing starvation due to reduced food rations linked to US funding cuts. Reports from locations like a hospital in Kakuma illustrate the dire consequences of these funding decisions, depicting a stark reality of malnutrition and suffering among children who rely on international aid for survival.