West cuts aid to poorest nations in MENA
The shifting geopolitics of western nations is leading to a ‘seismic shift’ resulting in a severe cut in overseas aid funding for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), according to The National on February 27th.
Aid workers and politicians in the poorest regions of MENA have described the situation as ‘like being cut adrift’.
As Europe grapples with economic crises and looks set to increase defence spending in the light of Donald Trump’s withdrawal of support for Ukraine against Russia, the consequence of this is being felt across the MENA region.
Britain has announced cutting the aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% in order to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP in two years time.
France also announced significant cuts, reducing its oversees spending by 40%.
Whilst Europe looks to deal with the threat on its eastern flank, they are exposing the MENA region to threats of climate change, famine, conflict and political unrest.
The chairwoman of the UK parliament’s international development committee, Sarah Champion, warned that, ‘where we step back, others with more malign intent will fill the gap.’
Europe is joining the US in cutting overseas aid and Jess Salter, a representative of the international development network Bond fears that, ‘the UK decision might also make other donor countries, especially European ones, do the same.’
The Labour government in the UK has always been a resolute supporter of foreign aid and so the fact that they have begun cuts is a worrying portent for the actions of more right leaning European nations.
Earlier this year, Maghrebi reported that Donald Trump cut USAID to Sudan, forcing the closure of 80% of the countries emergency food kitchens and further exacerbating the intense food insecurity suffered by the civilian population.
Whilst Britain has protected Sudan – along with Gaza and Ukraine – from its cuts, there is no guarantee other nations will follow Britain’s, rather than the U.S’ lead.
The effects of these cuts will have immediate and long-term consequences as some of the world’s poorest nations suffer against the new geo-political reality.
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