EU says it cannot fill funding gap left by USAID suspension
The European Union (EU) has stated that it cannot fully compensate for the funding shortfall caused by the United States' suspension of international aid programs, as African governments scramble to sustain critical services.
By comparison, the EU, as the largest collective donor, contributed nearly $100 billion. A significant portion of USAID’s African budget is allocated to humanitarian and health programs, with over $11 billion spent on the continent in 2024.
However, the aid freeze has already led to service disruptions across USAID offices across Africa.
A European Commission spokesperson reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to humanitarian support but acknowledged the growing challenges.
“We will not step back from our humanitarian commitments,” the spokesperson told Semafor, noting that the bloc’s 2025 humanitarian budget stands at $1.9 billion, with $510 million designated for Africa.
Despite this, the spokesperson admitted that the EU alone cannot bridge the widening funding gap. “The funding gap is getting bigger, leaving millions in need. The EU cannot fill this gap left by others.”
The U.S., the world’s largest single aid donor, distributed approximately $72 billion in assistance in 2023, much of it through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
