John,

A new mother holds her 2-month-old baby in a village torn apart by conflict, hunger and climate disaster. She relies on a health clinic, miles away, that provides her with child medical screenings, malnutrition treatment and psychological support. 

But suddenly, her lifeline is taken away — the clinic closes, which means no more lifesaving food and nowhere else to turn. Her newborn’s life is at risk, like millions of others around the world, and it’s the direct result of U.S. foreign aid cuts. 

Today, we’re sharing reports about the devastating effects of humanitarian aid cuts, which have left 2.3 million severely malnourished children at risk of losing care. Learn more about the impact of foreign aid cuts and how you can make a difference.


📍Kenya

In a country where 1.7 million children and adults face acute food shortages, foreign aid cuts left many on the brink of survival. Over 145,600 children under the age of 5 and 142,000 pregnant and postpartum mothers in hard-to-reach places are at risk of missing out on lifesaving nutrition support.
 

Endless drought followed by heavy flooding left Georgina, her 3-year-old son, Tiini, and her two other children facing acute food shortages. Aid funding cuts ended many of the cash assistance programs and health and nutrition services that kept them afloat. Save the Children’s Emergency Health Units set up 25 health and nutrition sites to reach families who’ve been cut off from the support they need.

📍DRC 

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, aid cuts have threatened or abruptly ended many nutritional services and educational programs. More than 1.8 million children will miss out on learning, while more than 1.2 million people in the worst-affected areas of Ituri and North Kivu will lose health care, nutrition, protection and water, sanitation and hygiene services. 
 

After multiple displacements, loss of income and an acute food shortage, Furaha* and her husband noticed their two youngest children, Safi* and Mastaki*, were growing weaker. A neighbor recommended they visit a nearby clinic, where Save the Children diagnosed both children with severe acute malnutrition, then quickly started specialized care and treatment.

📍Colombia 

After aid cuts were announced earlier this year, 25 out of the 28 humanitarian organizations working in Colombia’s largest informal settlement were forced to terminate, including Save the Children. Kids are at greater risk of abuse and exploitation as funding dries up.
 

Esther* is a Wayuu mother of three who’s been living in this settlement for the past two and a half years. When she became pregnant with her youngest child, Marleny*, Esther faced serious complications and continued to struggle after giving birth. Save the Children provided her with personalized check-ups, care in her native indigenous language and a baby kit including milk storage supplies and a crib.

📍Somalia 

A quarter of Somalia’s population — 16 million people — are displaced, while many more face hunger and violence due to recurring droughts and armed conflict. After aid cuts were announced, Save the Children was forced to close 47 of the 128 community health centers across the country, leaving more than 300,000 people without health and nutrition services.
 

Ayaan* is the grandmother and  guardian of six grandchildren, including 17-month-old Abdi*. Due to severe poverty and drought, Abdi has been suffering from severe malnutrition since he was two months old. A Save the Children health center diagnosed him and started malnutrition treatment to help him recover.

Save the Children is working around the globe to meet the needs of families and children who’ve been affected by foreign aid cuts this year. 

While many of our programs have been shut down, the generosity of supporters like you has enabled us to keep many others alive. Whether here in the U.S. or around the globe, your commitment helps sustain our programs during one of the most difficult times for children. 

Without adequate funding, many programs remain at risk. Children are facing hunger, missing out on education or losing their childhood. With your support, Save the Children can be there and help create a brighter future for kids. Learn more about aid cuts and how you can make an impact today.

Thank you, 

The Save the Children team