In a candid interview at the Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) headquarters in Oslo, Jan Egeland, the organisation’s Secretary General, has issued a clarion call for countries like China and India to step up their contributions to international aid. While the focus has largely been on cuts to US foreign aid, Egeland argues that the systemic neglect from these rapidly developing nations could have dire consequences for global humanitarian efforts.
The Fallout from US Aid Cuts
Egeland, who previously held senior positions at the United Nations, highlighted the chaotic aftermath of significant reductions in US foreign aid, particularly during the Trump administration. “Until last year, the US was our largest donor, followed closely by Norway,” he stated, revealing that the NRC’s workforce has now dwindled from 15,000 to 14,000. The abrupt freeze on US funding led to a disarray of stop-and-start orders, creating instability for ongoing humanitarian projects.
Among the most affected initiatives are those aimed at assisting victims of the Ukraine conflict and providing essential food supplies in Sudan. Egeland described the situation as “extremely chaotic,” noting that funding cuts have left many vital programmes permanently halted for 2026.
A Call for Accountability from Emerging Economies
Despite the pressing need for aid, Egeland underscored a glaring lack of contributions from major Asian economies, particularly China and India. “We need to ask why countries like India can achieve remarkable feats, such as a moon landing, yet fail to support humanitarian efforts in places like Sudan,” he remarked. He expressed frustration over the funds being directed towards military expenditures while humanitarian needs go unmet.
Last year, China contributed a mere $16 million to UN-coordinated humanitarian aid, while India’s contribution was zero. In stark contrast, Norway and the UK provided $921 million and £1.9 billion, respectively.
The Strategic Mistake of Prioritising Military Spending
Egeland cautioned against the current trend of NATO nations, including the UK, Germany, and France, prioritising military funding at the expense of foreign aid. He described plans to ramp up military spending to five percent of GDP as both “astronomic” and “unprecedented.” “We are seeking stability in Europe, but we are only becoming more introspective and nationalistic,” he asserted.
The humanitarian leader believes that cutting foreign aid undermines not only global stability but also the long-term security interests of wealthier nations. “If we neglect the needs of other parts of the world, we will live to regret it,” he warned, drawing parallels to the European migration crisis of 2015, which was exacerbated by wars in Syria and elsewhere.
The Consequences of Ignoring Climate Aid
Egeland also touched upon the hypocrisy of political rhetoric surrounding climate change, which often fails to translate into action. As nations publicly advocate for climate resilience, their financial support for climate-related humanitarian initiatives is dwindling. The UK, for example, has announced drastic cuts to climate aid, reducing funding from £2.3 billion annually to just £6 billion over three years, an act Egeland has labelled a “huge betrayal.”
He argued that failing to provide necessary aid will only exacerbate the challenges posed by climate change, leading to increased migration and potential epidemics. “If we want to avoid the uncontrolled migration driven by conflict and climate crises, we need to provide more support,” he stated.
Why it Matters
As the global humanitarian landscape faces unprecedented challenges, Egeland’s insights underscore the urgent need for a reassessment of priorities among wealthier nations and emerging economies alike. A failure to address the growing humanitarian crisis and escalating climate needs could lead to dire consequences, not only for those in need but also for global stability as a whole. The world cannot afford to ignore the interconnectedness of these issues, and the time for action is now.
