Amid funding cuts, millions of people waiting for humanitarian aid

A Changing Funding Context

The year 2024 was marked by budget cuts in several countries historically involved in development aid. Germany, the leading European donor, plans to cut its humanitarian spending by more than 50%. France has already reduced its public development aid budget by 800 million euros and announced a further 18% reduction by 2025. The United States has frozen all its international aid for a period of 90 days and has permanently cut 90% of assistance from USAID. The United Kingdom has announced its intention to reduce its budget for international development aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of its GDP. The European Union, Belgium, and other international partners are following this trend, reducing their contributions at a time when the demand for aid is sharply increasing.

"We are looking at the decimation of an industry and a complete disregard for human life," says Hannah Guedenet, HI's U.S. Executive Director.

Harmful U.S. Funding Cuts

Humanity & Inclusion has partnered with the U.S. government for years to deliver life-saving and life-changing aid to people with disabilities and other communities in need in times of peace, conflict and disaster. 

With the January stop-work orders, more than 30 projects were halted. While some waivers have been received, they do not provide clarity on which activities can resume nor information on when, or if, HI would be reimbursed for the cost of those activities. HI has more than $19 million in outstanding invoices from the U.S. government for activities completed prior to the funding freeze. 

This week, HI has received notices of terminations for more than a dozen contracts from USAID and the U.S. Department of State. 

"The current Administration's mass cuts to foreign assistance are not without serious harm," Guedenet explains. "We are talking about people's lives - people who have trusted organizations like Humanity & Inclusion, in partnership with the U.S. government, to provide services for their most basic needs. Our fellow humans are being left behind."

The terminations include programs that provide:

• Physical rehabilitation, prosthetics and wheelchairs to people with injuries and disabilities 

• Mental health care for survivors of traumatic experiences such as war, displacement and disasters 

• Disability inclusion initiatives that ensure people with disabilities have access to education, job opportunities and social services 

Increasingly Urgent Needs

Current crises – Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo – are accompanied by growing urbanization of combat zones, increasing the number of victims and health challenges. In addition, numerous climate disasters – cyclones, droughts, floods, and more – cause thousands of victims worldwide each year. In 2024, more than 300 million people needed humanitarian aid. Furthermore, the number of forcibly displaced people reached a record high, exceeding 122 million.

Humanitarian action cannot afford to slow down. HI, which supported 2.5 million people in 2024, continues its commitment to the populations with the greatest needs. Access to rehabilitation care, inclusive education, demining, and humanitarian logistics are essential services to ensure the dignity and autonomy of people affected by crises.

"Until now, physical therapists used to come to my shelter for my rehabilitation sessions, but for several days no one has been able to come, and I don't dare to leave my home. In addition, food distributions no longer take place or are delayed... I hope we won't be forgotten like this overnight, because without help it will be difficult to survive in the camps," explains Yeasmin Akter, 25, a refugee living with a disability in the Cox's Bazar camp in Bangladesh.

HI Calls for Mobilization

Beyond the numbers, lives are at stake. Budget cuts risk hindering significant progress made over decades, particularly for people with disabilities, who represent 16% of the world's population. In many countries, access to prosthetics, wheelchairs, rehabilitation, and health services remains limited.

In the face of these challenges, it is more essential than ever to reaffirm our collective commitment. International solidarity must remain at the heart of society's concerns. With over 40 years of experience, HI is more mobilized than ever to help vulnerable populations in need and calls for strengthening our efforts for a more inclusive and resilient world.

"HI isn't going anywhere, but with these funding cuts, the number of people we can serve and the volume of our activities will be impacted," Guedenet says. "That's where we need others to step in, to bridge those funding gaps to keep HI's activities as strong as ever for people with disabilities in times of peace, conflict and disaster."

Your secure online donation can be made at: https://donor.hi-us.org/page/aid-2025