Source: ChildFund New Zealand
Right now about 266 million people face acute food insecurity, 117 million have been displaced by war and conflict, and more than 400 million children live in extreme poverty.
“This is not the time in history for our Prime Minister to follow President Trump’s deadly playbook, and cut our aid budget,” says Josie Pagani CEO of ChildFund New Zealand.
Cost of living is a challenge everywhere. In some communities it’s the difference between life and death.
National has announced a 10% cut to foreign aid in some of the most vulnerable places in the world.
“President Trump’s aid cuts are already increasing the number of deaths, particularly of children.”
Data shows that the cuts to USAID could result in 14 million additional deaths by 2030, including around 4.5 million children under five.
These additional deaths are primarily driven by a lack of access to medicines, like vaccinations and treatments to prevent HIV Aids.
It is unclear what New Zealand aid programmes outside of the Pacific will be cut under National’s plan, apparently to fund medicines in New Zealand.
“You can’t fund medicines to New Zealanders by risking access to life saving medicines in the poorest countries in the world. Find the money we need for our medicines from another pot,” says Josie Pagani.
Childfund New Zealand works primarily in the Pacific region, but also supports communities with water, food and education in Zambia, Kenya, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and also children in war-torn communities like Ukraine, Gaza, or those at risk of starvation right now in places like Ethiopia.
“Aid programmes are linked. Without access to water or food, let alone education and protection from violence, children are less likely to access the medicines and health care they need.
“If you cut one aid programme, it has a downstream impact that’s hard to measure, on other programmes.
“Taking aid away from children and families in the poorest countries in the world to pay for our medicines is not something that will sit well with Kiwis.”
National’s proposed cuts to aid add up to about $431 million, and could see New Zealand’s reputation for being a good global citizen decline.