The ongoing cuts to international aid are severely impacting maternal and neonatal health across sub-Saharan Africa, where mothers face increasing risks during childbirth. Recent data indicates that neonatal mortality rates have surged by over 80%, with more than 11 million individuals losing access to vital reproductive health services due to these funding reductions. As conflict and displacement compound the crisis, the consequences for families are dire.
Rising Mortality Rates
A comprehensive analysis involving data from over three million refugee women across 20 countries reveals a stark increase in neonatal deaths. According to figures shared exclusively with The Independent, the mortality rate for newborns—defined as deaths within the first 28 days—has risen from 3.1 to 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births between 2025 and 2026. This represents an alarming 81% increase. Furthermore, deaths within the first year of life have also escalated by 111%, climbing from 8.3 to 17.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. Mortality rates for children under five have similarly increased by 50%.
These statistics underscore a troubling trend: as international aid diminishes, so too do the prospects for maternal and child health in the region. Vital health services, previously bolstered by foreign assistance, are now at risk of collapse.
The Impact of Aid Cuts
The ramifications of these aid reductions are profound. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) notes that nearly 1,100 health facilities and mobile clinics have been forced to shut their doors, with an additional 727 operating with diminished staff and resources. Almost 6,000 healthcare workers, including essential midwives and frontline staff, have lost their jobs, exacerbating the challenges faced by expectant mothers.
Dr. Mitchell Sangma, a health adviser at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), emphasised the gravity of the situation: “Countries depend heavily on external humanitarian and health system support to keep essential services running. When those lifelines are cut without health authorities stepping up, the consequences are predictable.” He warned that the rise in maternal deaths could occur silently within communities, unnoticed and unrecorded.
In Nigeria alone, 386 health facilities, many focusing on maternal care, have closed since early 2026, leaving approximately 380,000 individuals without care. The Central African Republic has similarly seen over 100,000 people lose access to crucial health services. These closures significantly hinder efforts to combat maternal and newborn mortality.
A Global Perspective
The decline in maternal health is not isolated to sub-Saharan Africa; global trends are equally concerning. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the average annual decline in maternal mortality has slowed dramatically in recent years. From 2000 to 2010, the rate dropped by 2.6% annually, whereas the figure fell to just 1.5% from 2013 to 2023. The current global maternal mortality rate stands at 197 per 100,000 live births, far above the UN Sustainable Development Goal target of below 70 by 2030.
Funding projections indicate that international aid for health could decrease by as much as 46% between 2024 and 2026, amounting to a staggering loss of $8 billion. Such reductions threaten to reverse decades of progress in maternal health, with studies suggesting that the cuts instituted by the Trump administration could lead to a potential 45% rise in maternal mortality across several African nations.
Urgent Calls for Action
The evidence presented has spurred calls for urgent action from policymakers and humanitarian organisations alike. Sarah Champion, chair of Parliament’s International Development Committee, highlighted the dire implications of these cuts, stating, “The babies and mothers in the poorest countries are bearing the brunt of this ideology.” She urged the international community to unite in support of low-income nations to prevent further deterioration of maternal and child health.
Amidst these challenges, CARE International has reported that financial shortfalls have forced the closure of numerous health and nutrition centres in Somalia, where the maternal mortality ratio is among the highest in the world. The consequences of these closures are acutely felt, as pregnant women and young children are left without essential support.
Why it Matters
The escalating crisis in maternal and neonatal health across sub-Saharan Africa is a humanitarian emergency that demands immediate attention. With aid cuts threatening to undo years of progress, vulnerable populations are at risk of losing access to the very services that can save lives. The international community must prioritise restoring and enhancing support for reproductive health services to ensure that mothers and their newborns receive the care they need to survive and thrive. Each life lost is a testament to the urgent need for renewed political will and cooperative global action in the face of this mounting crisis.
