NEW DELHI (IANS)- The dismantling of US foreign aid, initiated by the Donald Trump administration, could lead to more than 14 million additional deaths by 2030, including over 4.5 million children under five, warned a study published in The Lancet on July 1.
The study estimates that developmental programs supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) prevented 91 million deaths between 2001 and 2021 in low- and middle-income countries. Of these, approximately 30 million were among children.
Programs by USAID — the largest funding agency for humanitarian and development aid worldwide — were also associated with a 15 percent reduction in all-cause mortality and a 32 percent reduction in mortality among children under five.
However, the recent US aid cuts could now put that progress at risk, noted the global study. This comes as President Trump’s administration canceled 83 percent of all programs at USAID.
The study is based on an analysis of data from 133 countries, encompassing a retrospective evaluation covering the years 2001 to 2021, and forecasting models projecting impacts through 2030.
The results showed that in countries receiving high levels of support, the strongest impact was seen in priority disease areas: mortality from HIV/AIDS was reduced by 74 percent, malaria by 53 percent, and neglected tropical diseases by 51 percent, compared to countries with low or no USAID funding. Significant reductions were also observed in deaths caused by tuberculosis, nutritional deficiencies, diarrhoeal diseases, lower respiratory infections, and maternal and perinatal conditions.
If these cuts continue, more than 14 million additional deaths could occur by 2030, including about 700,000 extra child deaths per year, the researchers warned.
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