“If we don’t receive support, that will lead to 1.2 million deaths over the next five years.”
The US plans to suspend funding for Gavi, an organization that produces and supplies vaccines to developing countries, including Nigeria.
Documents prepared by the United States Organization for International Development (USAID) also revealed that the Donald Trump administration is planning to reduce malaria intervention.
According to Reuters, the report outlined a list of international aid programs to be demolished and what will be kept, which was shared with US lawmakers on Wednesday.
The document states that a total of 5,341 awards have been cancelled, amounting to around $760 billion. Of this, the government has already committed to spending around $48 billion.
The funding supports HIV and tuberculosis interventions and provides food aid to countries experiencing civil wars and natural disasters.
However, the US will end most of its health projects and interventions, including those related to the Nigerian disease, malaria.
Impact on children
According to a State Department spokesman, the finished projects were projects that did not meet those priorities or advance US national interests.
“Each award that was completed was reviewed individually for alignment with agency and management priorities. The key USAID Program Awards are still active,” the spokesman said, according to Reuters.
But Gavi CEO Sania Nishtar claims millions of children will die as a result of US cuts.
Mrs Nishter told Reuters that US $300 million annual funding is essential to its operations.
As a result, next week, Mrs Nishtal will accompany Gavi’s board chairperson Jose Barroso on a pre-scheduled trip to Washington, where she advocates for continuing US funding.
“If we don’t receive support, it will lead to 1.2 million deaths over the next five years among children who are not protected against fatal diseases like measles and diphtheria,” she was quoted as saying.
“I’m really fascinating. I hope there’s no final decision,” she said.
Health organizations affected by US policy
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Gabi could become one of the global health groups whose activities will be affected by Trump’s first American policy.
Since he returned to the White House, the administration has significantly reduced foreign World Health Organizations.
Approximately 80% of the aid and contract have been terminated.
In January, President Trump halted funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) and suspended all foreign aid to developing countries. This is a move that has had a major impact on health services in Nigeria.
The administration is actively sought to disband USAID, the US agency that coordinates and implements 90% of the country’s foreign aid.
Premium Times previously reported 83% of the USAID program and 5,200 contract termination.
They also had to cut some of their spending due to their absence from US funds and suspend some of their programs.
The plan to cut Gavi’s aid is threatening the supply of vaccines to developing countries like Nigeria. Nigeria has received a significant amount of vaccines from the body.
In 2024 alone, Nigeria administered thousands of MPOX, malaria, cholera and meningitis (Men Five) vaccines from Gavi.
