Kenya continues to battle a severe hunger and malnutrition crisis, with more than 18.7 million people—over one-third of its population—undernourished. Recurrent droughts, floods, and disease outbreaks have intensified the crisis. Yet, U.S. foreign assistance has emerged as a vital lifeline, helping millions of Kenyans access food, nutrition, and long-term resilience. U.S. Humanitarian Aid at Work… [Read More]
USAID
Accelerator Program 2.0: Fast-Tracking Innovation and Growth
The Accelerator Program 2.0 is a World Bank initiative aimed at supporting governments in low- and middle-income countries to strengthen foundational learning and reduce learning poverty. The program focuses on improving interactions between teachers, students, and learning content—the instructional core—through technical assistance that enhances early-grade teaching and learning. Its overarching goal is to demonstrate that… [Read More]
Trump’s Cuts Slash Global Labour Rights Funding by US$726 Million, Analysis Shows
More than US$726 million in funding to combat child labour, modern slavery and workplace repression is set to be eliminated under cuts pushed by the Trump administration, according to Equal Times. Experts warn the move will accelerate worker exploitation, union-busting and forced labour. Kelly Fay Rodriguez, former US Special Representative for International Labour Affairs, said… [Read More]
Ukraine Reports Highest Civilian Toll from Cluster Munitions for Third Consecutive Year
The latest Cluster Munitions Monitor reports that more than 1,200 people have been killed or injured in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, though the true number is likely much higher and may take years to determine. Loren Persi, team lead for the report, highlighted that similar underestimations occurred in conflicts in Syria… [Read More]
Trump Administration Halts Funding for Global HIV/AIDS Programs Amid Uncertain Impact
The United States has suspended some funding for its flagship HIV/AIDS relief program, PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), raising alarms among international organizations and members of Congress about the immediate impact on patients and global projects. PEPFAR, established in 2003, has been credited with saving over 26 million lives and providing antiretroviral therapy… [Read More]
USAID Funding Loss Threatens Global Fight Against Deadly TB
At the end of 2024, global tuberculosis (TB) control showed some signs of recovery after setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Shorter and less toxic regimens for drug-resistant TB improved treatment success rates, while rapid diagnostic advances and promising vaccine developments provided hope that countries might meet global TB reduction targets. Despite this, TB remained… [Read More]
DKT International Doubles FP2030 Commitment to $2 Billion by 2030 Amid Donor Funding Declines
DKT International, a leading global provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) products and services, has announced it is doubling its financial commitment to the Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) partnership. The organization now pledges $2 billion in support by 2030, up from its initial $1 billion commitment made in 2021. This renewed pledge comes amidst… [Read More]
Pakistan Faces Global Aid Cuts: How the Social Sector is Adapting
The abrupt suspension of foreign aid by the Trump administration, including funding through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), dealt a significant blow to Pakistan’s social sector, causing many organizations to halt projects, lay off staff, and scale back operations. Announced in January 2025 under the “America First” policy, the freeze compounded an already… [Read More]
Aid Freeze by Donor Agencies Deepens Humanitarian Crisis in Nigeria
The recent massive cuts in Official Development Assistance (ODA) from traditional donor countries are already having significant repercussions for Nigeria and other developing nations. These reductions are constraining fiscal space and undermining critical programs, including emergency hunger relief in Nigeria’s northeast. Shortly after his second inauguration on January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered… [Read More]
US Embassy Clarifies: USAID Did Not Receive $21M for Voter Turnout in India
The US Embassy in India has clarified that USAID/India did not receive or provide any funding of $21 million for voter turnout initiatives in India from fiscal years 2014 to 2024, nor has it conducted any voter turnout-related activities in the country. This statement was shared with the Rajya Sabha in response to a query… [Read More]
Local Voices, Real Impact: Insights on Localising Aid from Dakar
On June 18, 2025, BudgIT, in collaboration with Connected Development, hosted a Pause and Reflect session in Dakar, Senegal. The event was intentionally designed as a space for civil society organisations, community-based organisations, community leaders, and development actors to share candid reflections on what it truly means to localise development aid. Unlike typical conferences or… [Read More]
How Collaboration Fueled South Africa’s Success Against Tuberculosis Amid Funding Threats
Close collaboration between researchers and community groups has been instrumental in South Africa’s significant success in reducing tuberculosis (TB) incidence by more than half over the past decade. Women researchers and advocates have played a central role in this fight, with South African scientists contributing to global breakthroughs in TB research. This progress was highlighted… [Read More]
AfDB Approves $46 Million to Strengthen Healthcare System in Sokoto State, Nigeria
The African Development Bank Group has approved a $46 million loan to finance the Sokoto State Health Infrastructure Project, a major initiative aimed at improving access to and the quality of healthcare services in Sokoto State, Nigeria. This intervention comes in response to alarming health statistics in the region, where only one in twenty children… [Read More]
Kenyan and Ugandan Civil Society Push for Inclusive HIV Services as US Funding Declines
Seven months after the Trump-Vance administration froze U.S. global aid, African countries severely affected by the cuts to health programs have begun implementing alternative strategies to address the funding crisis. While governments act urgently to fill the gaps, queer rights groups in Kenya and Uganda have raised concerns about being excluded from these interventions, stressing… [Read More]
USAID Contraceptives to Be Burned in France as 218M Women Still Lack Access
Nearly $10 million worth of U.S.-funded contraceptives, originally intended for distribution in low-income countries, are being shipped from Belgium to France for destruction. The stockpile, which includes IUDs, implants, and birth control pills, was designated to support reproductive health programs in vulnerable regions of Africa and Asia. However, a combination of political impasse and restrictive… [Read More]
Aid Funding Crisis Exposes Fragile Localisation Promises by INGOs
In early 2025, the global aid landscape was disrupted when the United States government issued an Executive Order drastically cutting or suspending much of USAID’s work. This move slashed approximately $60 billion from U.S. foreign assistance, significantly affecting global humanitarian and development operations. As the U.S. previously accounted for nearly 30% of aid from DAC… [Read More]
Sierra Leone Receives 500 Metric Tons of White Rice from ECOWAS to Bolster Food Security
Following a 2024 food security vulnerability analysis, the ECOWAS Commission committed to assisting its Member States, including Sierra Leone, through the deployment of food stocks from its Regional Food Security Reserve. Although the support was initially scheduled earlier, the intervention in Sierra Leone was delayed and carried out on July 14, 2025. In a formal… [Read More]
When Aid Shrinks: The Real-World Impact of USAID Budget Cuts in Kenya
The Impact of Cuts to Humanitarian Aid in Kenya When the world’s largest humanitarian donor, USAID, faces budget cuts, the consequences are palpable, particularly for vulnerable communities around the globe. In Kenya, our team is witnessing firsthand the challenges that come with reduced support. As an organization committed to humanitarian work, we recognize that these… [Read More]
Bipartisan Push to Restore USAID Funding in the Fight Against Global Malnutrition
The Importance of Restoring USAID Funding to Combat Malnutrition In recent discussions surrounding U.S. foreign aid, a bipartisan initiative has emerged, focusing on the urgent need to restore funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This funding is critical for tackling the pressing issue of malnutrition, particularly among children in developing countries…. [Read More]
USAID Cuts in Malawi: A Setback for Development and Stability
Introduction to USAID Cuts in Malawi The recent cuts to USAID funding in Malawi have raised significant concerns among local communities and organizations that rely on this financial support for various development projects. As Malawi continues to tackle issues such as poverty, food security, and healthcare, the reduction in funding could have profound implications for… [Read More]
Urgent Concerns: The Impact of Disruptions to PEPFAR and USAID Programs
The Impacts of Disruptions to PEPFAR and USAID Programs The recent disruptions to key programs like PEPFAR (the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and various USAID initiatives are raising urgent concerns about their far-reaching consequences. These federally-funded programs have been instrumental in saving lives and providing essential healthcare services, particularly in regions heavily affected… [Read More]
Supreme Court Ruling Sets Key Precedent for USAID Practices
The Supreme Court's Message to Lower Courts In a recent ruling regarding the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Supreme Court has set a significant precedent. The decision echoes through the judicial landscape, suggesting to lower courts that they should remain steadfast in their current practices, whether that was the intended message or… [Read More]
Debunking Myths Around Open Society Foundations and USAID
In recent discussions, there have been numerous claims suggesting that the Open Society Foundations, established by George Soros, receive funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) or that they somehow influence the funding of this significant government agency. These assertions are not only unfounded but also part of a larger narrative aimed at… [Read More]
