Following the Trump administration’s termination of almost all U.S. Agency for International Development programs, the United Nations said Friday that the cuts will be devastating for vulnerable populations around the world.

In a letter to news outlets Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was grateful for the leading role the U.S. has played over the decades in protecting tens of millions of people and expressed hope that the newly announced cuts could be reversed.

What You Need To Know

  • In a letter to media Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Trump administration's termination of almost all USAID programs would be devastating for vulnerable populations around the world

  • Earlier this week, the Trump administration cut 92% of USAID foreign aid grants and awards

  • It has put 4,700 USAID employees on leave and plans to eliminate 1,600 jobs at the agency

  • “The reduction of America’s humanitarian role and influence will run counter to American interests globally," Guterres said

“Going through with these cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe and less prosperous,” he wrote. “The reduction of America’s humanitarian role and influence will run counter to American interests globally.”

Earlier this week, the Trump administration cut 92% of USAID foreign aid grants and awards. It has put 4,700 USAID employees on leave and plans to eliminate 1,600 jobs at the agency that supports humanitarian and development projects in at least 120 countries.

Guterres said the cuts will impact a variety of critical aid programs that provide lifesaving humanitarian aid, fight terrorism and illicit drug trafficking, and support parts of the world recovering from war and natural disasters.

He said more than 9 million people in Afghanistan will not receive health and protection services because of the cuts. In Ukraine, 1 million people will no longer receive cash-based assistance.

The cuts will also stop the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime from being able to fight the fentanyl crisis and human trafficking — two causes President Donald Trump has long championed.

“I can only hope that these decisions can be reversed based on more careful reviews,” he wrote. “In the meantime, every United Nations agency stands ready to provide the necessary information and justification for its projects. And we look forward to working with the United States in this regard.”