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Recent reductions in foreign aid are jeopardising decades of progress in maternal health, resulting in a worrying reversal of gains made in reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates. As we observe International Mothers’ Day, the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) starkly illustrates the consequences of these cuts, with many women facing life-threatening conditions during childbirth due to a lack of resources.
The Alarming Trends in Maternal Mortality
A significant achievement in global health has been the 40 per cent reduction in maternal mortality over the last two decades. However, new data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests that this trend is stalling. After years of steady improvement, the maternal mortality rate is now stagnating, with the latest figures indicating a global rate of 197 deaths per 100,000 live births. This stagnation is closely linked to substantial cuts in foreign aid, particularly from the United States and the United Kingdom.
The drastic cuts initiated under former President Donald Trump, which slashed US foreign assistance by 57 per cent, have contributed to a 23 per cent decrease in global aid in 2025 compared to the previous year. Projections indicate a further decline of 5.8 per cent in 2026. Such reductions are particularly detrimental in regions like Africa, where maternal health services are already under strain.
The Impact on the Central African Republic
In CAR, which has the world’s second-highest neonatal mortality rate, the ramifications of these aid cuts are evident. The ongoing civil war, now in its fourth year, has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, and as aid dwindles, vital health services are collapsing. Women like Busayna, a 25-year-old mother who fled violence in Sudan, are finding themselves in perilous situations. She recently recounted her near-fatal experience during childbirth, highlighting the dire conditions faced by many.
Busayna’s case is not unique. According to health professionals in the region, severe cuts have resulted in the loss of midwives, the closure of mobile clinics, and a critical shortage of essential medications. Dr. Ngonzo Lezin, the head of a local hospital, lamented the loss of staff and resources, foreseeing a grim future where traditional, rudimentary practices replace modern medical care—inevitably leading to an increase in maternal and infant deaths.
The Broader Implications of Aid Reductions
The trends in maternal mortality are alarming, particularly as studies project that the continuation of such funding cuts could result in an estimated 23 million additional deaths worldwide by 2030. Particularly affected are vulnerable nations in West Africa, where the termination of USAID-funded programmes could lead to a staggering increase in maternal deaths, with projections indicating a 45 per cent rise across six countries, including CAR.
Research from the Guttmacher Institute has estimated that last year alone, the cessation of health programmes linked to USAID led to the deaths of approximately 34,000 women and girls from complications during pregnancy or childbirth. This pattern of increased mortality correlates with political shifts in the US, where aid for family planning typically declines under Republican presidents.
In the UK, the situation mirrors these global trends, as the government has announced cuts to aid spending aimed at some of the world’s most impoverished regions. Planned reductions are set to decrease bilateral support to African nations by 56 per cent over the next three years, affecting millions of lives.
A Call for Urgent Action
Monica Ferro, head of the United Nations Population Fund’s London office, has strongly condemned the cuts, emphasising the direct link between funding and maternal health outcomes. “When funding is cut, services are shut down and women die. It is that simple,” she stated, highlighting the ethical imperative to maintain support for vulnerable populations.
The current landscape of maternal health is further complicated by the pressing need for international cooperation and commitment to funding. The UN Sustainable Development Goal aims for a global maternal mortality rate below 70 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030. However, with the present trajectory, achieving this goal seems increasingly unrealistic.
Why it Matters
The reversal of progress in maternal health due to foreign aid cuts is not just a statistic; it represents a human tragedy affecting millions of women and their families. The stories from the Central African Republic exemplify the urgent need for renewed commitment to international aid and health programmes. Without immediate action, the hard-won gains of recent decades could be lost, and countless lives will be at risk, underscoring the critical importance of sustaining global health initiatives. The societal implications are profound; a world that fails to protect its most vulnerable members ultimately undermines its own future.
