These devastating numbers are not only the result of cuts in healthcare, but also of shortages in nutrition, access to education, water, and sanitation. The lack of interventions in humanitarian crises also plays a role.
Maternal mortality and new HIV infections are already on the rise. On various websites you can find an impact counter that monitors the increase in new infections of HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, gonorrhea, etc., as well as the additional deaths already caused by cuts to USAID and PEPFAR. These figures are climbing rapidly. The dismantling of USAID is causing 88 deaths every hour.
The Arizona government has also announced cuts to international solidarity. Starting in 2027, 25% less will be allocated to international cooperation compared to today. Belgium has a strong reputation as a leader in international solidarity and human rights. If even these champions start slashing development cooperation budgets, the consequences will be dramatic for women, children, and people living with HIV.
The economic consequences of possible new HIV outbreaks or other public health crises also remain to be seen. The COVID-19 crisis showed that cuts to healthcare can have devastating consequences worldwide.
During President Trump’s previous term, it was European countries such as Belgium that, through the She Decides project, built a buffer to protect the most vulnerable groups in their partner countries.