Self-Reliance Required as Dollar-Aid Dissipates

The sudden suspension of U.S. foreign aid has sent shockwaves through the global development sector, putting millions of vulnerable lives at risk. Now, Switzerland has followed suit, announcing cuts to its international aid budget—raising fears of a domino effect as donor fatigue sets in and other nations reconsider their commitments. Decades of progress—built through collaboration and investment—now face abrupt disruption.

Take PEPFAR, for example. This programme has been instrumental in the fight against HIV/AIDS, supporting over 342,000 healthcare workers worldwide and providing life-saving treatment to millions. A temporary lapse in funding could have devastating consequences. According to the Andelson Office of Public Policy, up to 136,000 babies could be born with HIV in just three months if the suspension remains in place.

For some low-income countries, international aid funds up to 60% of their national healthcare budget. It provides medicine, infrastructure, and training. Beyond health, it has expanded education, modernised farming, and bolstered food security. It has also supported human rights efforts, including legal reforms and advocacy for marginalised groups.

International aid is more than a safety net—it has become a lifeline. But this dependency has created a structural vulnerability. The continuous flow of donor funding has often overshadowed the urgent need to build sustainable, self-reliant systems. Now, with aid abruptly cut, organisations are scrambling to fill the void.

The immediate consequences are dire. Clinics may shut down, cutting off essential services and escalating health crises. Education and food security initiatives could collapse. Research projects could stall, setting back innovation in health, technology, and climate resilience. A prolonged funding gap will not only reverse progress but also destabilise entire regions, with ripple effects on global security and economic stability.

The real danger lies in what comes next. If more donor nations follow the U.S. and Switzerland in scaling back international aid, the cascading effect could be catastrophic. As global priorities shift and domestic pressures take precedence, we risk dismantling the very systems that have strengthened health, education, and social development across the world.

In uncertain times, bold conversations are needed to drive a shift in thinking—one that repositions power dynamics by making donors more accountable for the sustainability of their investments, while ensuring recipient nations take responsibility for integrating aid rather than succumbing to a dependence malaise. This is not about a one-sided transaction but about fostering mutual accountability and long-term resilience.

This is about more than money. It’s about lives saved, opportunities created, and sustainable growth. The challenge ahead is clear: reforming aid to be both effective and empowering, so nations can build resilience rather than reliance.