International development and global humanitarian assistance has been uprooted at the beginning of 2025 due to a series of budget cuts announced to Official Development Assistance (ODA).
Most notably, the USAID funding freeze caused shockwaves around the world, removing life-saving assistance and development programmes, such as those supporting water and sanitation, food and agriculture and health support for millions of the most vulnerable people. Governments in the UK and the Netherlands also made significant reductions to ODA, just weeks after the USAID announcement.
These financial cuts are undoubtedly a significant setback for international development. However, should it also be seen as a moment to rethink the funding model for development and humanitarianism? Can it be opportunity to disband with the term ‘aid’ altogether and reframe it for what it is – an investment in tackling our shared global challenges? And we should not ignore the vision and dynamism of those striving for change, with or without Western aid, what they need, and what they have already achieved.