USAID funding cuts could lead to 14 million deaths by 2030 - study

The Trump administration's decision to significantly cut funding for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) could have fatal consequences, with more than 14 million people worldwide dying prematurely by 2030, according to a study published in The Lancet, cited by Reuters.

The researchers estimate that over the past 20 years, USAID-supported programs have helped prevent more than 91 million deaths, including 30 million among children. However, current funding cuts and the risk of the agency's liquidation could lead to the deaths of another 14 million people, including an estimated 4.5 million children under the age of five.

“Our projections show that if the sharp funding cuts announced and implemented in the first half of 2025 are not reversed, a staggering number of avoidable deaths could occur by 2030,” the report says.

Despite the drastic steps taken by the current administration, the United States remains the largest donor of humanitarian aid: in 2024, USD 61 billion was allocated for these purposes, most of which was through USAID.

In March 2025, the US Department of State notified Congress of the de facto dissolution of the agency and the transfer of some of its functions under its own management. The Trump administration accused USAID of inefficient use of funds and financing programs that “do not meet the national interests of the United States.”

Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations are already warning of the consequences: in May, it was reported that food aid for 3.5 million people has been in warehouses for a month and could be spoiled due to delays and reduced supplies.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, 2,000 new cases of HIV infection will be recorded every day in the world after the US freezes aid.