UN sounds alarm over Trump’s foreign aid cuts

The United Nations has raised an alarm over the reduction of US contribution to the world body saying it could ‘undermine the impact of longer-term reform efforts’ especially as the world is facing its worst humanitarian crisis since the end of the Second World War.

Reacting to the development, chief Antonio Guterres, the spokesman for UN said “abrupt funding cuts can force the adoption of ad hoc measures that will undermine the impact of longer-term reform efforts”.

Trump’s admnistration seeks to reduce his country’s contribution to UN programmes, as part of cuts to funding of US diplomacy and foreign aid in his administration’s budget proposal.

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Reports say Trump’s government will slash funding for the state department and USAID, its foreign aid agency, and shifting money towards the military with a $54bn increase in defence spending.

“The secretary-general fully subscribes to the necessity to effectively combat terrorism but believes that it requires more than military spending,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

“There is also a need to address the underlying drivers of terrorism through continuing investments in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, countering violent extremism, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, sustainable and inclusive development, the enhancement and respect of human rights, and timely responses to humanitarian crises.”

 

 

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