US, European Aid Cuts Endanger Millions in Africa

Recent cuts to international development aid, particularly from the U.S. and European countries, pose severe risks to public health and essential services across Africa. The Africa CDC has warned that a 70% drop in Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding could undo two decades of progress in health and poverty reduction, potentially pushing 39 million people into extreme poverty. The situation is exacerbated by a surge in disease outbreaks, with significant disruptions in health services like Mpox testing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Furthermore, these funding cuts threaten vital water and sanitation projects, which are essential to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Critics argue that these aid reductions, driven by a focus on defense spending and national interests, jeopardize the basic human rights of millions. As African leaders seek alternatives, the implications of these aid cuts are profound and far-reaching.