The countries at greatest risk in Asia include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand , Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Asia’s large population , the study noted, makes the region particularly vulnerable. 

"Asia's scale means that when health systems fail, the human cost is immense, and in 21 countries across the region, decades of development gains are now at risk of being reversed," said Deepali Khanna, senior vice president and head of Asia at the Rockefeller Foundation.

“These outcomes are not inevitable, but avoiding them requires country-led financing and resilient, self-reliant systems that can protect the most vulnerable and save lives,” Khanna added.

Children most affected

Millions of lives, the study warned, could be lost if development gains achieved over the last two decades are reversed, with children being especially vulnerable to the effects of a potential aid pullback. 

Without sustained aid, around 5.4 million children under the age of five could die, according to the study.

Dr. Davide Rasella, study coordinator at ISGlobal, said that development assistance is “among the most effective global health interventions available,” adding that withdrawing support now could reverse decades of progress, leading directly to millions of preventable deaths.

Over the past 20 years, aid has saved millions of lives across the 93 countries analysed. 

Child mortality fell by 39%, deaths from HIV/AIDS by 70%, and deaths from malaria and nutritional deficiencies by 56%. Aid has also strengthened healthcare systems and improved preparedness for disease outbreaks.

The study models two scenarios for the period 2025–2030. A mild defunding scenario, with a 10.6 per cent yearly reduction, could result in 9.4 million preventable deaths, including 2.5 million children under five. A severe scenario could see the loss of 22.6 million lives.

The study builds on previous research showing the potential impact of dismantling USAID, which alone could have caused 14 million preventable deaths by 2030. The new analysis includes all OECD donor countries, offering a comprehensive assessment of global aid defunding.

According to the agency, chronic underfunding has already led to the scaling back or suspension of key programmes. Many women are being left without safe childbirth services , emergency obstetric care, contraception or protection support. In 2025, UNFPA received only about $4 million of the $38.1 million it requested for Ethiopia.

UNFPA’s Executive Director, Diene Keita, warned that funding cuts are translating into closed clinics and survivors of sexual violence being turned away without help, calling these services “non-negotiable and life-saving.”

The situation is being worsened by overlapping crises, including conflict, climate-driven droughts and floods, and large-scale displacement. Ethiopia is also under additional strain from the war in neighbouring Sudan, as it hosts refugees fleeing violence and collapsing health systems.

UNICEF, on the other hand, says its humanitarian appeal for Ethiopian children remains heavily underfunded, putting essential services such as nutrition, health care and clean water at risk.

Decades after the end of Angola’s brutal civil war, the country is still fighting a silent battle against landmines scattered across its southern provinces. These hidden explosives not only claim lives but also block access to farmland, delay infrastructure development, and hinder the resettlement of displaced communities. NGOs and international partners continue to press for increased funding and faster demining efforts to make rural areas safe and spur economic recovery.

Journalists push for fair wages

Media tensions are growing as Angolan journalists continue to demand improved pay and safer working conditions. The Minister of Telecommunications, Information, and Social Communication has stated that negotiations will not stop until both parties reach an understanding. This dispute highlights ongoing concerns about press freedom, the professionalisation of the media sector, and the economic challenges facing journalists in Angola.

Angola celebrates 50 years of independence with carnival

President João Lourenço joined thousands at an off-season carnival along Luanda’s Nova Marginal to mark the 50th anniversary of Angola’s independence. The event was a major cultural showcase, featuring parades, music, and traditional performances that drew crowds from across the country. The celebration served as both a moment of national pride and a reminder of the challenges Angola has faced since independence, including war, political transition, and economic reform.

High-profile tax fraud trial begins

An investigation into one of Angola’s most significant financial scandals kicked off this week, involving 38 defendants accused of tax fraud. This case is expected to be closely watched as a litmus test for President Lourenço’s anti-corruption campaign, which has targeted prominent figures and sought to recover billions of dollars lost to graft. Analysts say the proceedings will be a measure of Angola’s ability to strengthen its legal system and restore investor confidence.

$7 billion spent annually on public sector salaries

Angola’s government disclosed that it spends around $7 billion annually on public sector salaries, a massive allocation in a country still facing post-war reconstruction needs and economic diversification challenges. This revelation has sparked debate about public spending priorities, efficiency in state institutions, and the need for reform to create more space for infrastructure, health, and education funding.

The financing package includes $33.2 million from the African Development Fund and an additional $10.4 million from the Bank’s Climate Action Window, a dedicated fund assisting 37 low-income African nations in building climate-resilient infrastructure in line with the Paris Agreement.

“This project is a major step forward in Mozambique’s transition to a low-carbon energy future,” says Kevin Kariuki, the Bank Group’s Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth, adding that, “It will deliver affordable electricity, support local industry, and improve livelihoods.”

The project includes the construction of two 43-kilometre, single-circuit, 66-kilovolt transmission lines , as well as critical network upgrades and equipment to ensure stable power delivery. Once operational, the system will enable thousands of new electricity connections, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

It is also expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 71,000 tons annually and strengthen regional energy trade through the Southern African Power Pool.

“This investment strengthens the backbone of Mozambique’s power system while accelerating access to clean energy for people who need it most,” said Wale Shonibare, Director of the Bank’s Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulations Department.

The initiative forms part of the African Development Bank’s “Light Up and Power Africa” strategy and supports Mozambique’s national objective of achieving universal electrification by 2030 under its Mission 300 roadmap.

Ahead of the scheduled meeting between South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Afrikaner farmers visited a farm attack memorial in Bothaville, South Africa. The visit coincides with a major agricultural fair attended by thousands. Despite their conservative leanings, several white Afrikaner groups rejected the Trump administration’s assertions of “genocide” and unlawful land seizures, which prompted the U.S. to suspend financial aid to South Africa.

Authorities report rise in remote jamming car thefts at South African shopping malls

South African shopping mall visitors are being cautioned about a growing trend in vehicle thefts involving remote jamming. According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security companies, criminals are increasingly using jamming devices to block the signal between a vehicle owner's remote and their car, preventing it from locking. Bull Security, operating in Pretoria, has observed a significant rise in such incidents, particularly in eastern suburbs like Mooikloof. Spokesperson French Jooste stated that suspects typically remain in parking areas, activate a jamming device as the driver walks away, and then access the unlocked vehicle.

State-owned poultry produce faces liquidation after failed funding effort

State-owned poultry producer Daybreak Foods, which supplies approximately 7% of South Africa’s poultry, is facing liquidation following an unsuccessful attempt to raise emergency funding. The Public Investment Corporation (PIC), its owner, has requested R500 million (approximately $27.8 million) from the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund to settle creditor claims. 

Ramaphosa appoints minerals minister as acting president 

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantash, as acting president of South Africa from 18 to 22 May 2025. The appointment was made as a result of President Ramaphosa’s visit to the United States, coinciding with Deputy President Paul Mashatile's visit to France.

South Africa’s Treasury expected to revise budget deficit forecast upward 

South Africa’s National Treasury is expected to announce a wider budget deficit forecast for the 2025/26 fiscal year, projecting a shortfall of 4.70% of GDP, according to a Reuters poll conducted between May 8 and 19. This exceeds both the 4.60% estimate released by the government in March and the 4.55% figure predicted in a February Reuters poll. Economists’ projections ranged from a 5.10% to 4.50% deficit. The deficit is expected to narrow slightly to 4.40% in the following fiscal year but will remain above the Treasury’s previous projection of 3.80%. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is scheduled to return to parliament on May 21 to seek approval for the national budget, following disagreements with coalition partners over proposed tax increases. The government currently faces a 75 billion rand ($4.1 billion) funding gap.

Afghanistan, with a population of 45 million that has long been dependent on aid, faces the world's second-largest humanitarian crisis. Since US funding cuts earlier this year, about three million people have lost access to health services because of the closure of more than 364 medical centres, with a further 220 centres at risk of closing by the third quarter of 2025, the UN's health agency said.

"That's maybe another two or three million people who have no access to healthcare services," Edwin Ceniza Salvador, the WHO representative in Afghanistan, told AFP in an interview in Kabul. "When the funding stopped, of course, the existing donors tried to step up. But you're talking about a significant gap to US funding," Salvador added.

Afghanistan's ramshackle healthcare system has been weakened by decades of war and records some of the world's highest infant and maternal mortality rates. The global aid situation has grown dire since President Donald Trump ordered the dismantling of the US Agency for International Development early this year and began Washington's withdrawal from the WHO. His administration scrapped 83 percent of humanitarian programmes funded by USAID. 

The gap is particularly concerning in light of the suspension of humanitarian aid from the United States, previously the country’s largest donor via USAID, local news portal Actualite reports.

The U.S. funding freeze has raised fears of a resurgence in infectious diseases , particularly in eastern DRC, where armed conflict and population displacement continue to hinder health interventions.

In response, President Félix Tshisekedi has directed his government to explore alternative solutions to cushion the impact of the suspended aid.

The DRC officially declared a Mpox epidemic in early 2022. Since then, the disease has spread to all 26 provinces, fueled by a mutated strain of the virus that facilitates rapid human-to-human and sexual transmission.

From January 2024 to mid-March 2025, the country reported 89,903 suspected Mpox cases, including 16,782 confirmed infections and 1,684 deaths — figures that highlight the urgency of the situation.

While the US Government hasn’t directly funded HIV-specific programs in Uzbekistan, critical initiatives in civic space, human rights, education, and advocacy have relied heavily on US support. According to UNAIDS , with these programmes now closed, organisations working on HIV-related legal reforms, anti-discrimination, and rights-based healthcare access face greater challenges in pushing for policy change. UN agencies are seeking new funding sources to sustain key initiatives, engaging with embassies, the EU, and the Uzbek government to fill the gap left by US funding.

Uzbekistan ranks among the top military powers in Central Asia

According to Global Firepower’s 2025 ranking, Uzbekistan ranks 58th with a Power Index score of 1.1121 (lower scores indicate stronger military power). The country fields 192 aircraft, including 58 combat jets, 13 attack aircraft, 101 helicopters, and 34 attack helicopters. Uzbekistan holds the second-strongest military in Central Asia, following Kazakhstan (57th). Turkmenistan ranked 77th, Kyrgyzstan 105th, and Tajikistan 108th.

715,000 people to get access to drinking water for the first time this year

This year, Uzbekistan plans to build 1,619 km of water pipelines, 521 km of sewer networks, and renovate 162 infrastructure facilities, providing clean drinking water to 715,000 people and sewage access to 135,000 households. Additionally, 157,000 consumers will receive modern water meters. At a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, emphasis was placed on boosting private partnerships and local firms’ participation in international tenders, Gazeta reports. The president also approved simplified procedures with international financial institutions and called for fast-tracking $850 million worth of projects by year-end.

Uzbekistan and Qatar strengthen economic and parliamentary ties

On March 19, 2025, Senate Chair Tanzila Narbaeva met with Qatar’s Ambassador Hasan Hamza Asad Muhammad Hashim to discuss strengthening Uzbek-Qatari ties. The meeting focused on expanding cooperation in political, trade, economic, and investment sectors while emphasizing the importance of inter-parliamentary relations as a key pillar of bilateral partnership, as reported by The Pinnacle Gazette .

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan discuss expanding air travel

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are exploring new air travel routes to boost tourism and business ties, according to the Kyrgyz Trade Representation in Uzbekistan. The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Aero Nomad Airlines and Uzbek tour operators. TTW reports that CEO Timur Aralbaev presented the airline’s capabilities, with both sides expressing strong interest in expanding flight options to meet growing demand and enhance regional connectivity.

Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health, Muhammad Pate, said the country must reduce its dependence on foreign aid and take responsibility for its own healthcare system. He acknowledged the US had played a big role in funding treatment for diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria but said Nigeria must now find a way to support its own health workers.

President Donald Trump’s decision to stop USAID funding, along with cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has caused major challenges for Nigeria’s health sector. PEPFAR funds HIV treatment and prevention in Nigeria and other countries.

Although some funding was restored, many programmes remain affected. The suspension of USAID funding is part of a wider review by the US government, which says it is checking for waste and corruption.

To deal with the situation, the Nigerian government has set aside an extra 300 billion naira in its 2025 budget for the health sector. This money is expected to help cover the salaries of the affected health workers and improve healthcare services.

Nigeria’s health system relies heavily on private funding. Around 70% of healthcare costs in the country are paid for by individuals, while only 30% comes from the government.

Minister Pate stressed that although foreign aid helps, Nigeria needs to invest more of its own money in healthcare to ensure stability.

The government has also approved nearly $1 billion for healthcare improvements, including better services in state hospitals. However, the minister warned that changes will take time.

Nigeria also depends on imports for most of its medicines and medical equipment. Over 70% of drugs and almost all medical devices are brought in from other countries.

The government now plans to boost local production of essential medicines, such as antibiotics, to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen the healthcare system.

Pate said healthcare is expensive, but Nigeria must invest in it to provide high-quality services for its people.

He admitted the country had not spent enough on healthcare in the past and that fixing the system would require time and effort.

In this budget, the government made a $200 million provision to fill gaps created as a result of the aid suspension to the Nigerian health sector, Reuters reported.

The move aims to sustain critical healthcare programs in Africa’s most populous country amid growing uncertainty over the future of USAID, the world’s largest aid donor.

The funding freeze has already impacted key public health initiatives, including contact tracing and international traveller screenings, an American official told CBS News last week.

Meanwhile, Uganda is receiving an additional $2 million from the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen its response to the country’s latest Ebola outbreak.

CEO of Bond, a UK-based network of international development organisations, Romilly Greenhill warned that the U.S. cuts could weaken global health security and called on the international community to step in and support affected programs, Semafor reports.

The Senate’s decision follows a joint communication submitted by Senators Amara Konneh (Gbarpolu County), Abraham Darius Dillon (Montserrado County), Augustine Chea (Sinoe County), and Gbehzongar Findley (Grand Bassa County). They emphasised the urgency of reassessing Liberia’s budgetary framework, particularly its allocations for the next four years, given the financial vacuum left by the U.S. decision.

The funding freeze follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration, after which an internal memo was sent to U.S. officials and embassies, including Liberia, ordering a halt to nearly all existing foreign assistance and pausing new aid.

Brenda Moore, Founder and Executive Director of the Kids’ Educational Engagement Project (KEEP) highlighted the economic and developmental strain caused by the aid suspension.

“The suspension of USAID funding will put the government under pressure to find alternatives to the existing programs and projects,” Moore stated. “Allowing some of these projects to be halted altogether will mean restart and remobilization costs not initially included in the operational budget. With limited resources, this is no easy task. The stop-work order will not only halt progress but has also put a strain on our local economy and the livelihoods of many Liberians.”

The aid suspension is part of a policy shift under Trump’s “America First” initiative, temporarily halting billions of dollars in foreign assistance pending a 90-day review by the U.S. State Department.

“To further support Uganda‘s response to the Ebola outbreak, I am releasing an additional $2 million from the WHO  Contingency Fund for Emergencies," he said .

Previously, the WHO granted $1 million to Uganda last month, acknowledging the country’s swift response to the outbreak.

Historically, there have been eight outbreaks of Sudan virus disease: five in Uganda and three in Sudan. The last outbreak reported in Uganda occurred in 2022.

Sudan virus disease is a severe illness, often lethal, affecting humans and primates, caused by the Sudan virus from the Orthoebolavirus genus. Previous outbreaks have had case fatality rates ranging from 41% to 100%.

Uganda has so far identified six new Ebola cases, bringing the total to nine confirmed infections, including one death, as reported by the Ministry of Health.

Seven of the patients are receiving treatment at Mulago National Referral Hospital, while one is at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.

The Ministry of Health has placed 265 contacts under quarantine and is rigorously following up to contain the outbreak, which was officially declared after a nurse's death from the disease.

"Your hands, Pierre! Hit him in the body!" his trainer shouts as he sharpens his craft.

Invited to the United States by former French heavyweight Christophe Mendy, Hugues arrived in late November for his first U.S. tour to showcase his talent in the world’s boxing capital.

An accomplished amateur boxer, he sees this as an opportunity to secure funding for his career, which has faced financial hurdles in his native France. “I’ve always seen myself as an able-bodied athlete, with the same passion—sometimes greater—to achieve the same result,” Hugues says, his quiet determination evident over the hum of the Harlem gym.

With plans to turn professional within two years, Hugues hopes to make his mark and inspire others on his journey to Olympic greatness.

According to a press release, the funding is aimed at doubling the number of children with basic math skills by the age of 10. “This is a multi-year program. It’s for the long term, trying to make sure the work that’s already going on in Malawi to make math education as effective as possible is continued into the future and is really embedded,” Dodds said.

She emphasised the program's broader impact on children, young people, families, and communities, adding, “It can deliver that change for children, young people, and their families and communities, and ultimately the whole Malawi and economy as well.”

Dodds also addressed Malawi’s challenges in accessing climate finance, a critical issue for the nation and other developing countries. She reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to improving access to such funds. “The UK has been working really hard with our friends like Malawi to call on the climate finance providers and say to them, ‘Let’s make sure that access is more open,” she said.

Malawi, formerly Nyasaland, was a British protectorate from 1891 until it gained independence in 1964. 

"Basically, we're invisible," said Michaël Arnaud, executive director of Égides, a Montreal-based alliance supporting LGBTQ+ rights in francophone regions. 

Arnaud highlighted how limited funding and barriers to international advocacy disadvantage these organisations compared to their Anglophone counterparts. 

Activists like Patrick Fotso of Alcondoms Cameroun, a sexual health clinic and LGBTQ+ advocacy centre, emphasise the disparity in resources. "There is no balance," Fotso said, noting that HIV-related projects often overshadow critical human rights work due to better funding availability.

The challenges are compounded by the distinct socio-political landscapes of francophone countries, where issues often revolve around freedom of expression and assembly rather than explicit criminalisation. Activist Caroline Kouassiaman of the Sankofa Initiative for West Africa explained that francophone countries face heightened instability due to factors such as political coups and terrorist activity. "The majority of countries that are in crisis... are francophone," she said, emphasising the risks activists face in such volatile environments.

A report by the Global Philanthropy Project found that between 2013 and 2020, only 1% of global LGBTQ+ funding was allocated to francophone countries, leaving many grassroots organisations struggling to address systemic repression.

Advocates warn that the lack of support could lead to worsening repression, as seen in Anglophone countries with draconian anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Kouassiaman stressed the urgency for allies like Canada to push for inclusive policies within la Francophonie, a global organisation of French-speaking nations. 

"This leadership role is really important," she said, urging Canada to rally European partners to invest in LGBTQ+ movements and prevent further erosion of rights in francophone Africa.

Geographic and Economic Factors

Smaller nations and affluent territories often top the list when it comes to hospitals per capita. For instance, Monaco and Greenland, with their compact sizes and concentrated resources, can prioritize healthcare infrastructure, ensuring better access for residents. Wealth allows these countries to efficiently allocate resources to build and maintain medical facilities.

Healthcare Funding and Accessibility

Countries with robust healthcare funding—whether through universal systems or substantial public and private investment—typically boast a higher number of hospitals relative to their population. Regular funding ensures facilities can meet population demands, addressing both preventative care and emergency needs.

Specialised Healthcare Demands

In regions facing unique health challenges, such as endemic diseases or a high prevalence of chronic illnesses, the need for more hospitals and clinics becomes urgent. Countries in these circumstances invest in healthcare infrastructure to manage the specific needs of their populations, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.

These factors highlight how a nation’s approach to healthcare, paired with its economic and geographic realities, directly impacts its capacity to deliver accessible hospital services.

The primary goal of COP16 is to secure at least $20 billion annually by 2025 and $30 billion by 2030 from developed to developing countries.

This funding is essential to bridge the estimated $700 billion annual biodiversity finance gap.

"It would be very helpful if developed countries could increase the messages that they are going to meet the development financing target, and also that we can have an open and frank discussion to find the mechanisms that will help us meet the challenge we face," she said.

Muhamad, however, remains optimistic, stating, "While the road ahead is complex, the commitment of the international community to protect our planet's biodiversity gives us hope. We must continue to work together, innovate, and find common ground to meet these critical funding targets."

The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity is a significant global event focused on biodiversity conservation .

Held in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024, the conference aims to address critical issues related to biodiversity loss and develop actionable plans to protect and restore ecosystems.