On World Humanitarian Day we find out that the White House is preparing to cut foreign aid. The Trump Administration is planning to cut up to $4 billion from the USAID and State Department. Despite opposition from some of the President’s political supporters, the cuts are expected to be formally announced next week. As many US politicians – and humanitarian workers – know, these cuts are likely to further undermine US national security and foreign policy objectives.
At the same time as the US is planning to cut foreign aid, the Government of Chad has declared an Emergency in its eastern regions after more than 50 people were killed in new fighting between farmers and cattle herders in the last week.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo meanwhile, the measles epidemic that was officially declared ion 10 June has infected nearly 150,000 people and killed a confirm 2,758 people. With school about to recommence in DRC, the measles epidemic shows no signs of slowing. A massive mobilisation of international and local actors is required to limit the impact of this outbreak. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease for which no treatment exists. Children are particularly vulnerable to complications from measles, and the only way to protect them against the potentially life-threatening disease is vaccination. Measles remains a leading killer of young children all over the world despite the fact that an effective, low-cost vaccine has been available for decades. The significance of this measles epidemic should not be overshadowed by the increasingly concerning Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.
The latest Ebola outbreak in DRC (declared in August 2018) has largely been contained to North Kivu and Ituri provinces, but now there are cases on Uganda and South Kivu Province. The impact of the virus travelling more than 700km is alarming and dramatically increases the likelihood of a greater spread of Ebola. So far, 2.842 people have contracted Ebola Virus Disease, and 1.900 people have died from this outbreak. The humanitarian response in DRC has been hampered by the ongoing and pervasive conflict throughout the country, and a mistrust of health workers. Achieving greater levels of community acceptance will be crucial for this outbreak to be contained. Despite the highly effective Ebola Treatment Centers that have been established by several humanitarian actors, the highly mobile and conflict-affected nature of this area severely undermines response efforts. About 300,000 people were displaced in Ituri Province alone in June 2019.
The ongoing violence in DRC continues to be severe with several massacres occurring in the last few months, including brutal crimes against civilians. The motives of the conflict continues to be political and economic, with communities often pitted against each other.
The time is not right to be cutting aid. Conflict, epidemics, and political turmoil in parts of Africa impact the security of all countries. The humanitarian, economic, and political benefits of increasing foreign assistance must continue to be promoted within and to the US Government.