“If we ignore this population of vulnerable children and youth, especially the girls and young women, we are failing them.” These were the stark words of MIET AFRICA’s Director of South African Programmes and Advocacy, Dawn Jones, during a SABC News Late Edition interview. Her comments come in response to the recent announcement of a 90-day suspension of all US foreign assistance – a decision she warns will have devastating consequences.
“It doesn’t help that it’s just a pause – it’s 89 days too long,” Jones stated, emphasizing that the initial impact of the freeze would hit the world’s most vulnerable populations hardest.
According to The Guardian, UN agencies have already begun scaling back global aid operations, with immediate cuts to humanitarian assistance across multiple regions. The ripple effect is being felt worldwide.
“Ultimately, we cannot stop what we’re doing,” Jones stressed. “Civil society and the private sector must step up in solidarity to ensure this sector continues its essential work.”
Watch the full interview:“Ignoring this population means failing them,” warns MIET AFRICA’s Dawn Jones on US foreign aid suspension
