By Michael Gwarisa
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, has expressed deep regret following the United States government’s decision to halt future funding to the organization, a move that could reverse decades of progress in maternal health and reproductive rights.
The US government announced its intention to cut funding by invoking the Kemp-Kasten Amendment, citing long-debunked claims about UNFPA’s alleged involvement in coercive reproductive practices in China. Multiple independent investigations, including by US government agencies, have found no evidence to support these allegations.
This decision comes as a devastating blow to global public health. It adds to termination notices for more than 40 humanitarian projects, valued at approximately $335 million, already issued to UNFPA. These projects provided critical services—including maternal healthcare, post-rape treatment, and protection from gender-based violence—in over 20 crisis-affected countries and territories.
Cutting this funding will strain already fragile health systems and deprive millions of women and girls of essential services,” said UNFPA in statement.
“This includes support for midwives who prevent maternal deaths and for mobile clinics that serve women in conflict zones and humanitarian settings.”
In the past four years alone, US support helped UNFPA prevent more than 17,000 maternal deaths, 9 million unintended pregnancies, and nearly 3 million unsafe abortions by expanding access to voluntary family planning. In Afghanistan, more than 9 million women now stand to lose access to maternal and reproductive health services. In the occupied Palestinian territory, mobile obstetric units and safe spaces for women and girls will no longer operate.
The US had been one of UNFPA’s top donors, contributing an average of $180 million annually. The funding cut not only disrupts immediate service delivery but also threatens long-term development outcomes for families and communities worldwide.
UNFPA emphasized its commitment to maintaining open dialogue with the US government and urged it to reconsider the decision.
“Now is not the time to walk away,” the agency said. “We call on the United States to reclaim its leadership role in global public health. Funding UNFPA remains one of the most effective investments in ensuring safety, dignity, and health for women and girls everywhere.”
