Humanitarian Aid Faces Cuts Amid Soaring Crises

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Major donor governments, including the U.S., U.K., and Germany, have cut roughly 83% of grants administered by USAID, disrupting vital humanitarian services worldwide. Millions have lost access to health care, nutrition support, education, and emergency relief. Despite the funding cuts, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is using innovation and research to sustain critical programs, including simplifying malnutrition treatment, expanding vaccine access, and delivering cash assistance to families in need.

Why it matters

Humanitarian aid is a lifeline for millions of people affected by crises such as conflict, natural disasters, and displacement. These funding cuts threaten to reverse decades of progress in reducing poverty, child mortality, and preventable diseases globally. The IRC's innovative approaches aim to maintain critical services even as resources decline.

The details

The IRC has been able to keep many services in operation through private donor support and internal funding reserves, but this funding could soon run out. The organization is investing in a research and innovation agenda to shape the next generation of breakthrough interventions, including AI-enabled tools to anticipate crises, support staff capacity, and deliver information to people who need it most. The IRC's flagship interventions focus on treating malnutrition, reaching unvaccinated children, expanding access to contraception, and delivering cash assistance.

• In early 2025, the Trump administration cancelled roughly 83% of grants administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
• Other major donor governments, including the United Kingdom and Germany, followed suit in 2025.

What’s next

The IRC is urgently seeking additional donor support to sustain its critical humanitarian programs and reach more people in need as funding declines globally.