The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has faced significant funding cuts over the years, with notable reductions occurring during the current administration. The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced on 11 March, 2025, that 83 per cent of USAID programmes were slated for cancellation. The cuts were finalised after a review process, with many USAID workers and contractors filing lawsuits in response. Critics warned of severe humanitarian and political consequences, including accelerated global disease spread and heightened security risks. This article explores the impact of these cuts on children aged 0-8 in humanitarian crises globally and underscores the urgent need for action.
Introduction
USAID, established in 1961, has been a cornerstone of global humanitarian aid, supporting disaster relief, poverty alleviation, and global health initiatives with an average annual budget of $23 billion supporting programs in over 60 countries. However, 20 January, 2025, an executive order by the Trump administration froze most USAID funding for 90 days. This has significantly impacted healthcare, education, and protection services in countries like Lebanon, Mali, and Myanmar South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Nigeria, Uganda, and Ethiopia.
Impact on children aged 0-8 in humanitarian crises
Early childhood (0-8 years) is crucial for development, with lifelong impacts. WHO highlights the importance of responsive caregiving, early learning, and maternal mental health for strong foundation and positive developmental trajectory. Humanitarian crises, caused by natural disasters, conflicts, or emergencies, overwhelm local resources and threaten community well-being. These crises often lead to widespread suffering and require coordinated aid efforts. Many emergencies last between 10 and 26 years, affecting millions of children throughout their childhoods.
As of 2024, 1 in 11 children faces conflict, hunger, and climate disasters. 1 in 5 children live in or flee conflict zones, 13.7 million children are facing life-threatening severe acute malnutrition. and 774 million children face poverty and climate emergencies. In 2023, the number of grave violations committed against children in war rose by 15% to the highest level since reporting began in 2005. 473 million children, more than 1 in 6 of the world’s children lived in conflict zones, with disrupted essential services leading to deadly consequences. Conflict causes displacement, separating families and interrupting early childhood care.
The funding cuts have disrupted access to lifesaving health services. Programmes providing vaccinations against diseases like polio and malaria have been halted, increasing the risk of outbreaks. Malnutrition rates are expected to rise as food aid programs are suspended. Without maternal and child health initiatives, preventable deaths among young children are likely to escalate.
- In South Africa, the closure of OVC programming is the biggest impact, affecting drug procurement and treatment in other African PEPFAR-supported countries.
- In Afghanistan, the halt of USAID-funded healthcare programs has left many children without life-saving treatments. In Myanmar, hospital closures in refugee camps have worsened the health crisis among displaced children.
- In Syria, organisations like War Child have been forced to halt operations in some of its child friendly spaces; these spaces provide mental health support and safety for children in refugee camps.
- Joel Kikalage, an advocate for refugees in Uganda, reports deteriorating conditions in Nakivale, Kyangwale and Kyaka refugee camps, with a lack of medicine and support leading to severe challenges and cases of suicide among caregivers. A respondent stated: “Baba tunaenda kufa sasa. Madawa hawatupi tena huku tulipataka ubakaji ndipo tuliambukizwaga magonjwa haya. Sasa tukimbiliye wapi? Pesa hatuna, kazi hatuna.” Meaning: “We are going to die now. They no longer give us medicine here. We contracted these diseases after being raped. Where do we run to now? We have no money, and we have no jobs.”
Millions of children rely on U.S. funding for HIV care. Since 2003, PEPFAR has prevented nearly 8 million children from being born with HIV. Recent waivers allow limited HIV services, but extended funding freezes could have dire consequences. American Journalist Nicholas Kristof noted cutting aid would be disastrous and more expensive in the long run, endangering security and prosperity.
Call to action
To address the impact of funding cuts on early childhood development programmes in humanitarian contexts, partnerships must be expanded. Restoring funding and reopening lifesaving programmes are urgent needs. A more equitable aid system that empowers local organisations and international collaboration is essential to fill gaps left by USAID’s withdrawal. Humanitarian organisations need to work more efficiently and cost-effectively by integrating early childhood development programmes into existing services. Quality early childhood development services should focus on the five components set out in the Nurturing Care Framework for early childhood development: good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, security and safety, and opportunities for early learning.
It is imperative for both national governments and the private sector to step up and support children in crisis. National governments should implement policy reforms and prioritise increasing budget allocations for child welfare programs, focusing on critical areas such as health, education, and nutrition. Strengthening social safety nets is essential to protect vulnerable children from the impacts of economic instability and crises. Additionally, governments should enhance local partnerships by collaborating with NGOs and community organizations to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable children efficiently.
Public-private partnerships and regional cooperation are vital for sustainable support, leveraging innovation and technology from the private sector to develop scalable solutions for education, healthcare, and crisis response. Promoting sustainable investments in social enterprises and startups focused on improving the lives of children in crisis is crucial. Policy makers must act swiftly to restore lifesaving services to vulnerable children and prevent future abrupt cut-offs from essential services like nutrition, protection, mental health, and education. The future of countless children depends on our collective action.
