SERVICES AFFECTED
“We have already started seeing the impact of reduced funding across different operations,” said Duniya Aslam Khan, UNHCR spokesperson for Southern Africa.
“If we were giving cash assistance, it’s reduced cash assistance. Health care services have been affected. Education programs have been affected. Food assistance has been affected.”
Closing the Pretoria bureau was considered the best option to cut costs while maintaining a strong field presence, Khan said.
Aid agencies have been rocked by funding cuts from major donors, led by the United States and other Western governments prioritising defence spending amid rising security fears over Russia.
The US has historically been UNHCR’s largest donor.
The UN World Food Programme, which previously relied on the US for nearly half its budget, also shut its Southern Africa bureau earlier this year citing financial constraints.
Source: CNA
