The recent developments come in the wake of a funding freeze announced by the US government on January 24, which impacts nearly all foreign aid initiatives pending a 90-day assessment, as reported by Pio Smith of the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, during a press briefing in Geneva.
In a communication to all UN staff released Tuesday morning in New York, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that he responded to the executive order issued by US President Donald Trump with a call to “ensure the continuation of vital development and humanitarian efforts.” Mr. Guterres emphasized that the UN will actively work to assess and address the implications of this order. “Now, more than ever, the role of the United Nations is essential… Together, we will ensure our organization remains dedicated to serving those in need globally,” he affirmed.
**Severe Consequences**
In light of the executive order, Mr. Smith indicated that UNFPA has halted services financed by US grants, which are crucial for women and girls in crisis situations, particularly in South Asia. The UNFPA Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific cautioned that from 2025 to 2028, the lack of US support in Afghanistan could lead to an estimated 1,200 additional maternal deaths and 109,000 unintended pregnancies. Mr. Smith expressed the agency’s desire for “greater clarity” from the US administration regarding the reasons behind the impact on certain programs, especially those that might be expected to be exempt for humanitarian reasons.
Additionally, the UN’s aid coordination agency, OCHA, noted that there have been no layoffs or access restrictions due to the executive orders. Spokesperson Jens Laerke remarked that the agency’s country offices are maintaining close communication with local US embassies to better gauge the evolving situation. He pointed out that the US contributed about 47 percent of the global humanitarian appeal last year, underscoring the significance of the current circumstances and the messages received from the government. This funding freeze follows the announcement that the new US administration has placed the primary overseas development agency, USAID, under the Secretary of State’s jurisdiction. Agency employees have faced office closures, while the head of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency has accused USAID of misconduct and accountability issues.
“Name-calling in public won’t save lives,” stated OCHA’s Mr. Laerke, while Alessandra Vellucci, who leads the UN Information Service at UN Geneva, emphasized the UN Secretary-General’s call for a trusting relationship with the Trump administration. “We are looking to continue our collaborative efforts [and listening]… if there are criticisms, we welcome constructive feedback and areas for review,” she conveyed to reporters, highlighting the longstanding partnership between the UN and the US.
**USAID and UNICEF Partnership Announced**
In 2024, USAID and UNICEF are set to establish a partnership aimed at enhancing water and sanitation services throughout Iraq.
**Withdrawal from Human Rights Council**
During the same press briefing, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Council addressed reports indicating that President Trump intends to issue an executive order to withdraw the US from the 47-member body. The US has been a member from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024, which means it has been an “observer State” since January 1 of this year, akin to any of the 193 UN member states that are not part of the Council, explained spokesperson Pascal Sim: “An Observer State cannot technically withdraw from an intergovernmental body it is no longer a part of.”
**Preventable Challenges**
Amid uncertainties regarding future US funding, Mr. Smith from UNFPA stressed the immediate repercussions for vulnerable individuals in the world’s poorest areas: “Women are giving birth alone in unsanitary environments; the risk of obstetric fistula increases, and preventable newborn deaths occur; survivors of gender-based violence find no medical or psychological support,” he explained. “We hope the US Government will continue to be a global leader in development and collaborate with UNFPA to alleviate the suffering of women and families due to crises they did not create.”
**Emergency in Afghanistan**
UNFPA operates globally, including in Afghanistan, where over nine million individuals are projected to lose access to health and protection services due to the funding crisis from the US. This situation will affect nearly 600 mobile health teams, family health houses, and counseling centers, which will have to suspend their operations, Mr. Smith clarified. “A mother dies from preventable pregnancy complications every two hours, making Afghanistan one of the most perilous countries for women to give birth. Without UNFPA’s assistance, even more lives will be endangered at a time when the rights of Afghan women and girls are already under severe threat.”
**Impact on Pakistan and Bangladesh**
In Pakistan, the UN agency warns that the US announcement will impact 1.7 million individuals, including 1.2 million Afghan refugees, who will lose access to essential sexual and reproductive health services due to the closure of more than 60 healthcare facilities. In Bangladesh, nearly 600,000 individuals, including Rohingya refugees, are at risk of losing access to critical maternal and reproductive health services. “This is not merely a matter of statistics; this pertains to real lives. These are some of the world’s most vulnerable populations,” Mr. Smith stressed. In the Cox’s Bazar refugee camp complex in Bangladesh, where over one million Rohingya refugees are living under dire conditions, nearly half of all births currently occur in health facilities with UNFPA’s support. “This progress is now in jeopardy,” Mr. Smith noted, adding that the agency requires over $308 million this year to maintain vital services in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
