USAID Cuts Expected to Cause 14 Million Deaths by 2030

A series of studies published in The Lancet warn that deep funding cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under President Donald Trump's administration could result in more than 14 million additional deaths globally by 2030, including 4.5 million children under five. USAID programs have historically played a crucial role in preventing over 91 million deaths worldwide over the past two decades, significantly reducing mortality from diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The U.S., as the world's largest humanitarian aid donor, allocated $61 billion to international aid in 2024, with more than half channeled through USAID; however, Trump's administration has cut over 80% of USAID programs, citing wasteful spending. Experts warn these cuts risk reversing decades of progress in global health and development, with effects comparable to a global pandemic or major conflict, while also impacting humanitarian efforts in regions supported by USAID, including the European Union. USAID's funding has been vital in disaster response, food assistance, and vaccine initiatives, and the abrupt reductions threaten to create a critical funding deficit that endangers millions of vulnerable lives. Researchers and humanitarian leaders urge reversal of these cuts to prevent a staggering number of avoidable deaths and sustain global health gains.