Massive Global Aid Cuts Leave 1 Million Women Without Critical Services, UN Warns

The United States led the trend by drastically reducing foreign aid in 2025, with other major donors swiftly following suit.

Published on 10 Jul 2026

Global aid reductions have deprived at least one million women and girls of essential support within the past 18 months, according to a recent United Nations report.

Organizations delivering services to women and girls face unprecedented demand, yet 90 percent report being unable to meet needs due to dwindling resources.

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The United States previously held the title of the world’s largest aid donor. However, President Donald Trump’s administration dramatically reduced foreign aid upon resuming office in January 2025.

With the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington’s foreign aid contributions fell by over 50 percent, as reported by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Other significant donors to global support, such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, have also reduced contributions, primarily due to domestic obligations and pressures to boost defense expenditures.

“Women’s organizations operating on the frontlines of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises are at risk of closure,” stated Sofia Calltorp, UN Women’s chief of humanitarian action.

“Every dollar withdrawn from these organizations means one less dollar available for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, displaced mothers, girls forced out of school, and communities fighting for survival,” she added.

The UN report surveyed 855 women’s organizations across 52 vulnerable nations, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, and Afghanistan. It revealed that 40 percent could face temporary or total shutdowns within the next year due to insufficient funding.

Sixty percent of surveyed groups reported reaching fewer women and girls since January of last year, despite rising needs.

Half of these organizations have been forced to implement waiting lists or turn away women and girls seeking assistance.

Nearly all noted that the women they serve are becoming poorer, and girls are increasingly leaving school.

As instances of conflict-related sexual violence have doubled over the past year, 62 percent of organizations report no longer providing safe spaces, significantly reducing services to combat gender-based violence.

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