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Haz click aquí para leer este posicionamiento en español. WASHINGTON D.C., United States, 3 February 2025 – The Trump administration is using foreign aid as a deadly political weapon, ILGA World and International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) said today, and millions of people are already in dire straits because of its policies. The executive order implementing a 90-day pause in US foreign development aid is wreaking havoc on the lifesaving work of human rights, civil society, and grassroots organisations —according to ILGA World and IPPF. Sexual and reproductive health services suddenly were forced to suddenly stop or drastically cut operations, including those further impacted by the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule, leaving millions of people without access to lifesaving care. The funding suspension initially impacted also the over 20 million people living with HIV directly supported through the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Later, however, a life-saving humanitarian assistance waiver” walked back the decision, yet excludes activities related to abortion or family planning, gender or DEI programs, gender-affirming  surgeries, and other activities deemed to be “non-life saving assistance.” IPPF anticipates it will lose US$61 million from cuts due to refusing to sign the Global Gag Rule. Programs affected - mainly in Africa - provide sexual and reproductive health services for millions of women and youth, many of whom will be forced to continue with a pregnancy they did not want or have an unsafe abortion they may not survive. United Nations agencies have begun cutting back their global aid operations as a direct consequence of the 90-day foreign aid suspension. Without guaranteed funding, implementing organisations will have no choice but to lay off thousands of health workers and programme staff. Even if funds are reinstated after the “assessment of consistency with US foreign policy”, the bottoming out of the health sector means there are no guarantees that  organisations will be able to continue serving our communities. “The US, currently the largest provider of Official Development Assistance (ODA), is choosing to leave behind the already most marginalised people across the world, in the name of far-right regressive policies,” said ILGA World and IPPF.  “This is a war on development. People will die because the Trump administration is using life-saving funding as a leverage to advance a hateful  dystopia.  American aid with further conditionality will be unable to reach the most vulnerable populations, undoing decades of progress on health, security and human rights.” “This devastating blow to foreign aid risks worsening humanitarian crises, violence, conflict, and political instability,” ILGA World and IPPF conclude. “This is the opposite of building ‘harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries’ that the Trump administration claims to seek.” “Now more than ever, we are in solidarity with our global movements. We will continue to fight alongside them. We will not be fearful or silenced; but instead use this moment to galvanise our communities. But we need to be prepared: vital resources and life-saving programmes may not come back — at least not without severe limitations and exclusionary conditions.”  “We call on more States to step in with development aid, listen to the needs and priorities of grassroots communities, and provide them with a lifeline.” Note to editors ILGA World is a worldwide federation of more than 2,000 organisations from over 170 countries and territories campaigning for the human rights of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Founded in 1952, it is now a movement of 150 member associations and collaborative partners with a presence in over 146 countries.  For ILGA World: Daniele Paletta (communications manager); [email protected]; time zone: UTC+1 For IPPF: Nerida Williams (senior media advisor); [email protected]; time zone: UTC+7 Alice Ackermann (communications advisor); [email protected]; time zone: UTC+1

January 21, 2025—The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) strongly condemns the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw financial support from the World Health Organization (WHO). This executive order will have devastating consequences for Americans, global health and the communities we serve. This decision, which gives a one-year notice before taking effect, will severely undermine the WHO’s capacity to carry out its critical mission and will cost lives.  As the largest single contributor to the WHO, the United States provides approximately 18% of the organization’s funding, with the current two-year budget for 2024-2025 set at $6.8 billion. The withdrawal of U.S. funding will create an unprecedented financial shortfall, threatening essential health programs, partnerships and global public health.  Since its establishment in 1948 as part of the United Nations, the WHO has been at the forefront of global health initiatives. From combatting malaria and tuberculosis to improving women’s and children’s health, nutrition, and sanitation, the WHO’s role in coordinating international health policy, prevention and disease eradication is indispensable. Today, it serves as a vital hub for research, technical support, and health trend monitoring, addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.  The global maternal mortality ratio has stagnated since 2016 at around 223 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. Only one WHO region (the South-East Asia Region) has recorded a significant decline in maternal mortality, while all other regions have recorded either a stagnation or an increase. "Defunding the WHO is a direct attack on the health and well-being of millions, especially the most vulnerable,” said Dr Alvaro Bermejo, IPPF’s Director-General. “Donald Trump’s decision to strip the WHO of its funding, before the expansion of the Global Gag Rule, adds further insult to injury. The health community has collectively endured unprecedented attacks against health care workers, patients and clinics, made possible with the previous US administration. Peace is the best medicine; we urge the Trump Administration to reconsider its position. The world needs a thriving WHO. Women, girls and LGBTQ+ people all over the world need a thriving IPPF. IPPF stands in solidarity with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and with the WHO. We will continue to resist, and we will continue to fight for peace, and for sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice for ALL.”  IPPF calls on the international community to stand in solidarity with the WHO and to work together to mitigate the catastrophic impact of this funding withdrawal. The lives and health of countless individuals are at stake, and we must act urgently to ensure that global health systems remain strong and resilient.  For more information please contact [email protected] - +44 7918 845944 About the International Planned Parenthood Federation  IPPF is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952 at the Third International Planned Parenthood Conference. Today, we are a movement of 158 Member Associations and Collaborative Partners with a presence in over 153 countries.  Our work is wide-ranging, including comprehensive sex education, provision of contraceptive, safe abortion, and maternal care and responding to humanitarian crises. We pride ourselves on being local through our members and global through our network. At the heart of our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and crucially no matter how remote.