1.2 million children's life at risk due to THIS decision of Trump | READ

The United States has chosen to cut off funding to Gavi, an international organization that finances vaccination efforts in developing nations. In a report by The Times, the 281-page spreadsheet contains thousands of plans for Trump administration foreign assistance programs. As per the report, the move is being regarded as a severe setback to the global initiative that has saved the lives of millions of children over the past 25 years.

Trump administration move will slash crucial programs to combat malaria

The Trump administration move will also slash several important programs to combat malaria, with some grants for the treatment of HIV and TB set to continue. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has recently submitted a 281-page report to the Congress with the list of foreign aid projects that will be discontinued and will be continued.

Gavi will be hit the hardest

The reports indicate that the US is constraining its role in global health and humanitarian aid. The administration has made a decision to shut down 5,341 foreign aid projects, with only 898 to remain open, as per the report. Gavi will suffer the most from the decision since the organization provides essential vaccines to impoverished nations worldwide.

75 million children to miss out on vaccination

The US aid suspension will deny 75 million children routine immunization in the next five years, potentially leading to 1.2 million deaths among children. "This action is a danger not just to developing nations but to global health security," declared Dr Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi.

Protests erupt against Trump's decision

Sierra Leone Health Minister Dr Austin Dembie spoke with grave concern on the decision, describing it as not merely a bureaucratic one but would jeopardize children's lives. He averred that in the absence of Gavi, his nation would not be in a position to provide the vaccines required for conditions such as smallpox. He called upon the US administration to reverse this decision.

This case is being challenged in court

The US State Department confirmed this decision, reporting that every grant of aid was individually reviewed and cut off where it was found to be counter to the policies and national interest of the administration. The US Congress approves financing for most of the health programs, so whether the administration is legally entitled to cut them off is not a clear matter. The matter is currently subject to a number of legal challenges.

The lives of numerous children were salvaged

Gavi, the agency which has saved 19 million children's lives so far, could have to undergo a severe financial crisis because of this US decision. The US supplies 13% of the budget of the agency and became the biggest funder in the COVID-19 pandemic. Other large economies like Japan and European nations are already facing economic strain, under which they have been forced to reduce their foreign assistance. Therefore, if it comes to that, Gavi will have to seek alternate sources of funding in order to carry on its work.