A nurse in Kampala, Uganda, tells me she faces an impossible choice — rationing lifesaving medication due to indefinite shipment delays. Not because of local mismanagement, but because billions in global aid have simply disappeared.
Across Africa, similar stories are unfolding as donors such as the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), and several European Union (EU) powers have slashed development assistance at unprecedented levels. The so-called “Great Retrenchment” has seen an estimated $82 billion cut from aid budgets — a staggering 39% reduction. The consequences are dire, with stalled health programmes, schools scaling back, and climate resilience projects grinding to a halt.
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