The Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR) has issued a statement in response to the recent executive order by the United States halting all foreign assistance programs. This decision has led to the immediate suspension and termination of existing grants and contracts, including GNDR’s USAID-funded Locally-Led Humanitarian Solutions (LLHS) program. The LLHS program was crucial in supporting local organizations in fragile states to build resilience in communities at risk of disasters. The termination of the LLHS program means significant progress in disaster preparedness and resilience will be lost, particularly in fragile contexts.
The funding freeze increases the vulnerability of communities on the frontline of disasters, undermining efforts to build resilience through locally-led initiatives. GNDR urges the United States to reconsider its decision and calls on the international community to step in and fill the gap left by this policy shift.
GNDR remains committed to ensuring that local voices shape the decisions that impact their futures and continues to advocate for locally-led action and urges governments, institutional donors, organizations, and the private sector to step in and support locally-led initiatives to ensure that progress in disaster preparedness and resilience is not lost.
The USAID funding freeze poses a significant threat to international disaster preparedness. The halt in funding comes at a critical time when disaster risks are escalating globally. Without essential support, communities already facing frequent and severe hazards will encounter even greater challenges. The international community must prioritize predictable, long-term funding mechanisms that support locally-led solutions to uphold commitments to global security, sustainable development, and disaster resilience.
Since 2020, DKKV supports GNDR as the National Contact Point for Germany and regularly participates in advisory board meetings with other European Contact Points.
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(Image Source: GNDR)