The recent decision by the United States government to reduce funding for humanitarian assistance has already impacted some of the most vulnerable populations in Nigeria. Children already experiencing malnutrition are the most affected by this policy. According to new reports, the U.S. government has provided more than $54 billion in humanitarian assistance globally since 2021. This combined effort puts the U.S. on top as the largest donor worldwide. In other words, targeted cuts have had dire impacts. That $3.8 billion allocation to Africa unfortunately resulted in the shutting down of essential nutrition programs and closures of health facilities across the board.
Cuts like these have real consequences, as Yagana Usman, a mother from Borno State, saw firsthand. Her twin boys were part of more than 55,000 children who benefited from therapeutic ready-to-use food before the program shut down earlier this year. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) halted operations in Dikwa due to the aid freeze, leaving many families without necessary support. This reality is aggravated by the World Food Programme (WFP)’s recent warnings of severely declining resources. Consequently, they are left with no choice but to cut help to millions of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Impact of Funding Cuts on Nutrition Clinics
Mercy Corps recently shared a painful impact of the U.S. funding cuts. At least 150 nutrition clinics in northeastern Nigeria have shut down operations. This drastic loss of healthcare access has disconnected countless children from the nutrition services they rely on. The WFP announced that it would reduce its support in northern Nigeria from 1.3 million people in July to 850,000 by September. These cuts have devastating consequences for the 4th District’s already vulnerable constituents.
Hassan Abubakar Bukar, a Dikwa community health worker, said the move to reduce the number of clinic sites was hurting locals.
“Because of fewer (nutrition clinic) sites in Dikwa, a lot of malnourished children are left out.” – Hassan Abubakar Bukar
Their disappearance has raised alarm among humanitarian agencies. From their perspective, they worry that millions of at-risk kids will go without care and nutrition until the pandemic is over. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), over 5.4 million children under five years in Nigeria’s northeast and northwest are experiencing acute malnutrition. Alarmingly, an estimated 1.8 million of those children are suffering from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition.
Ongoing Challenges and Responses
The funding cuts have prompted various organizations to voice their concerns about the future of millions of malnourished children across Africa. Save the Children recently warned that cuts to humanitarian aid could have catastrophic consequences. These cuts would hit children in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and other countries already facing humanitarian disasters hard. The severity of the crisis goes further than just Nigeria, showing how connected global food security crises are.
Margaret Schuler, chief impact officer at World Vision, said the move would have deep and long-lasting repercussions, especially killing off aver lifeline programs.
“Like many organizations, we had programs cut across all regions in the world, over 20 countries, and what was a little bit surprising was the fact that what would have been considered ‘lifesaving programs’ were terminated.” – Margaret Schuler
Schuler stressed that these programs were the lifeline for some of the most vulnerable populations across the globe. The cuts are not just numbers on a budget, but real lives that are now at risk.
The Importance of Continued Support
Even with these challenges, U.S. officials have repeatedly doubled down on their humanitarian focus. Flickr photo by U.S. State Department According to a spokesperson from the State Department, America is still the most generous nation in the world. The administration’s spokesperson further highlighted that American taxpayers should not be expected to bear the full responsibility of meeting global humanitarian requirements. As practitioners, it is important to remember this first.
“It is imperative to remember that the American taxpayer was never meant to bear the full burden of taking care of every person on Earth – whether that be with food, medicine, or otherwise.” – US State Department spokesperson
U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Prescott originally announced that the United States would allocate $32.5 million for such food and nutrition assistance. Together, this funding aims specifically to support Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations. At the same time, they point to a major challenge in closing financial gaps for extensive food aid programs in troubled areas. They emphasize that private resources alone cannot meet the overwhelming demand already present.
For families such as Yagana Usman’s, these cuts in funding meant the difference between life and death. Usman illustrated her journey as she contended with an all-consuming fear for her children’s safety.
“For some of these large-scale food aid programs or programs that we implement at scale in the hardest places around the world, it’s very hard to fill some of those gaps with private resources.” – Melaku Yirga
Personal Accounts Reflecting Broader Crises
Usman used to get help from these nutrition clinics, but now she’s left with no alternatives as the clinics run out of resources.
“I have that fear in my mind. I’m always thinking about how I could get something to feed him.” – Yagana Usman
Mothers like Usman pay a heavy emotional and physical toll. Their story sheds light on the greater humanitarian disaster exacerbated by reduced funding and ending life saving programs.
“I was sick and had no breastmilk.” – Yagana Usman
The emotional and physical toll on mothers like Usman illustrates the broader humanitarian crisis exacerbated by funding cuts and program terminations.
