Latest news with #AIDs
RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Irish NGOs say cuts to aid funding are putting millions of lives at risk
Leaders in Ireland's humanitarian sector have said that millions of lives are at risk after western countries drastically cut foreign aid budgets this year. The United Nations has said that donor retrenchment has been so large that it has been "forced into a triage of human survival". More than 300 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, and a record 120 million people are displaced, according to NGOs. "At a time that we're seeing an increase in violence, an increase in the death of preventable illness, an increase in hunger, what we're seeing is donors walking," said Jane-Ann McKenna, CEO of Dóchas, a network of NGOs. Aid systems have been "completely dismantled" as a result of funding gaps, she said. "It is women, it is children who are suffering the most as a result of these aid cuts. What we're seeing is… that over the next four years they expect that the number of deaths of AIDs related illnesses to increase by 4.2 million people. So, these are really lives on the line," she said. Ravaged by conflict and climate change, Somalia is one country feeling the impact of the substantial aid cuts. Those working in centres which treat malnourished children are seeing the difference already. Admissions have "skyrocketed" according to Trócaire. "I haven't seen them as full as they are now since I started working in Somalia eight years ago… and that is through a famine period of 2022 and 2023. That is directly attributable to aid cuts," said Paul Healy, Somalia Country Director with Trócaire. "We've to make hard decisions in Somalia. I've seen babies die. We are not going away but we certainly have to rethink and reimagine the kind work that we can do with fewer resources and saving as many lives as possible," he said. 'The math is cruel, and the consequences are heartbreaking' The United States, once the biggest foreign aid world donor, slashed the USAID funding when Donald Trump took office. Cuts of £5bn to the UK overseas aid budget is due to come into effect by April 2027, as part of plans to increase defence spending. Germany and Canada have also announced cuts to aid. The United Nations recently announced a drastic change to its global humanitarian operations due to the deepening hole in its budget. The UN received $5.6 billion so far this year - 13% of what it initially sought. "The math is cruel, and the consequences are heartbreaking. Too many people will not get the support they need, but we will save as many lives as we can," said UN aid chief Tom Fletcher. Irish aid agencies GOAL and Concern have both said that they are at risk of losing hundreds of jobs. Documents seen by RTÉ News also revealed in April the cloud of uncertainty that overshadowed Irish NGOs in the days and weeks that followed US president Doanld Trump's executive order to freeze and terminate foreign aid funding, as tens of millions of euro in funding essentially disappeared. Hundreds of redundancies have been reported across the Irish aid agency sector and development projects in countries such as Sierra Leone, Somalia and Syria have been significantly affected. GOAL and Concern were the largest recipients of US government funding, with annual income of €103 million and €58.3 million from USAID respectively. Trócaire received €1.38m from USAID and Self Help Africa received €308,000. According to the documents, GOAL's Turkey-Syria programme was most impacted as 85% of it is funded by USAID. As a result of the funding freeze, Self Help Africa decided to pull its services out of three African countries by the end of the year. Concern confirmed that it has lost over €20 million in funding from the US government. Oxfam Ireland is another charity that continues to assess the funding gap. "We know that it's a long-term problem that is being created for political expedience in some parts of the world," said Jim Clarken, CEO, Oxfam Ireland told RTE News. "Ultimately countries need to remember that aid isn't just about charity or immediate lifesaving work, it's about long-term development. It's also about security. Everybody's security. A more developed world is a more secure world. It's a safer world, it's a better world for everybody," he said. Ireland must 'step-up and step-in' Irish NGOs are now coming together, in a new campaign, to highlight their concerns, although the true impact is not fully clear. Christian Aid Ireland chief executive, Rosamond Bennet said that she knows no one can fill the gap left by the likes of USAID. However, she said that other countries including Ireland could show leadership when it comes to international aid. "It is absolutely necessary that we can step-up and step-in and show leadership in this area and that the sustainable funding that Irish aid provides is absolutely crucial at this moment in time," said Rosamond Bennet. Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, said the Government is "absolutely committed" to maintaining the Irish Aid budget. "Investing in this work is not only morally the right thing to do, it is also entirely within Ireland's interest to create a world that is safer, healthier and more prosperous," he said in a statement to RTÉ News.
The National
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested after US Capitol Gaza protest
Ben Cohen was one of seven people to have been arrested on Wednesday at a Senate committee hearing where Robert F Kennedy Jr was speaking. Both Cohen and his fellow co-founder Jerry Greenfield have previously been vocal about their opposition to Israel's assault on Gaza. READ MORE: Firefighters issue warning as 'extreme' wildfire alert renewed Earlier this year, their company filed court proceedings after its parent firm sacked its chief executive, alleging that it wanted to stop the boss from making political statements. Kennedy, the US government's health secretary, was speaking to the committee when the protests started. Shouts of "RFK kills people with AIDs!" could be heard, along with "when Bobby lies, children die," and, "anti-vax, anti-science, anti-America", which was in reference to Kennedy's views against vaccines. Police quickly flooded into the room and began dragging out protesters. Moments after, Cohen got to his feet and accused the US government of being complicit in the deaths of children in Gaza. The ice cream boss can be seen in footage saying: "You're killing poor kids in Gaza and paying for it by cutting Medicaid for kids here." As he was dragged out of the room, he continued shouting: "Congress and the senators need to ease the siege. They need to let food into Gaza. They need to let food to starving kids." Cohen and the six other protesters were arrested on charges of "crowding, obstructing or incommoding" assault of a police officer or resisting arrest, US Capitol police said in a statement. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar is all over the place on immigration. What does he actually believe? Police said Cohen was only charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, a misdemeanour punishable by 90 days in jail, a $500 fine, or both. Cohen later shared a video of the protest on social media platform Twitter/X, writing: "I told Congress they're killing poor kids in Gaza by using bombs, and they're paying for it by kicking poor kids of Medicaid in the US. This was the authorities' response." I told Congress they're killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and they're paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US. This was the authorities' response. — Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) May 14, 2025 Cohen, who is Jewish, said earlier this month that the US had a "strange relationship" with Israel which involved "supplying weapons for its genocide". In 2021, Ben & Jerry's announced that it would no longer allow its Israeli licensee to sell its ice cream in the West Bank and Gaza, saying that doing so would be 'inconsistent with our values'.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ben & Jerry's co-founder arrested after US Capitol Gaza protest
The co-founder of Ben & Jerry's has been arrested after disrupting a Senate hearing with a pro-Gaza protest. Ben Cohen, Ben of the famous ice cream company Ben & Jerry's, was one of seven people said to have been arrested at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on Wednesday, Sky News' US partner NBC News reported. Robert F Kennedy Jr was speaking to the committee when the protests started with someone shouting: "RFK kills people with AIDs!" "When Bobby lies, children die," is also heard, as well as: "Anti-vax, anti-science, anti-America" in reference to Mr Kennedy's vaccine views. Police quickly flooded into the room and began dragging out protesters. Moments after, Mr Cohen got to his feet and accused the US government of playing a role in the deaths of children in Gaza. The ice cream boss can be seen in footage of the incident on his feet, gesturing as he shouted at the US health secretary. "You're killing poor kids in Gaza and paying for it by cutting Medicaid for kids here," shouted Mr Cohen. He is one of the last protesters hauled out of the room. But even as he's removed, he can still be heard shouting. "Congress and the senators need to ease the siege. They need to let food into Gaza. They need to let food to starving kids," he said. The other six protesters were charged with resisting arrest and assault on an officer, NBC News said. Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Cohen had attended a pro-Palestine event with Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib. Afterwards, Mr Cohen tweeted out a video of the incident, saying: "I told Congress they're killing poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs, and they're paying for it by kicking poor kids off Medicaid in the US. "This was the authorities' response." Read more from Sky News: Mr Cohen is no stranger to protests or getting arrested. In July 2023, he was arrested after protesting about the US prosecution of Julian Assange. 'Poor kids in Gaza' Israel has killed around 53,000 Palestinians during its war with Hamas, many of them women and children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. The Gaza health ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. It is said the real death toll in Gaza is higher because thousands of bodies remain buried under the rubble or in areas that medics cannot access. The fighting began after the militant group led an attack across the border in October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. Since Israel broke a ceasefire on 18 March, almost 3,000 people have been killed, the ministry said. The Israeli military has claimed, without evidence, to have killed 17,000 militants.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Melania Trump hosts White House event commemorating Barbara Bush stamp
WASHINGTON (AP) — In the White House's East Room on a rainy Thursday, first lady Melania Trump and members of the Bush family gathered to unveil a U.S postage stamp bearing the portrait of former first lady Barbara Bush. Amid the anticipation of the unveiling, Trump, Bush's daughter Dorothy 'Doro' Bush Koch and Judy de Torok a vice president at United States Postal Service took turns sharing stories chronicling the former first lady's life and achievements. Bush Koch held back tears recalling moments from her mother's early life. 'Mom was never one to shy away from speaking the truth or taking a stand,' she said. 'With her signature white hair and pearls, she became an icon in her own right, and yet, even as a former first lady, she remained humble and humorous.' The image on the stamp is Barbara Bush's official White House portrait, which currently hangs in the entrance to the East Wing. She is depicted in a black suit and purple blouse, wearing her hallmark triple strand of pearls. After a commemoration ceremony in Kennebunkport, Maine, where the Bush family compound is located, the stamp will go on sale June 10th. Bush notably championed literacy programs and helped destigmatized people with AIDs and HIV when she cradled an infant during a 1989 visit to a hospice for children with AIDS. Trump said Bush 'changed the national conversation on AIDS and took a stand supporting gay rights.' Trump also said she appreciated how Bush inspired people to pursue their personal dreams and was ahead of her time when she made the call for a female American president. 'Who knows?' Trump said, 'Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps and preside over the White House, and I wish him well,' she said to laughs. Barbara Bush died in 2018 at 92 years-old. She was married to President George H. W. Bush. She is the mother of former President George W. Bush. She was one of only two first ladies who had a child who was elected president. The other was Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams and mother of President John Quincy Adams. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. And in 2016 — at 90 years-old — Barbara Bush campaigned for her son, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush when he vied for the Republican presidential nomination, according to the George H. W. Bush library. She had strong words for Donald Trump — back in 2016 she said in a joint CNN interview with Jeb Bush that she was 'sick' of the current president. 'He's said terrible things about women, terrible things about the military. I don't understand why people are for him, for that reason,' she said at the time. Melania Trump attended Bush funeral in 2018 and Donald Trump did not attend. The White House said he stayed away to avoid security disruptions. Bush is the eighth first lady to be honored with a U.S. postage stamp. Bush Koch said 'it's unlikely that mom ever pictured herself on the postage stamp, and it's very likely that she would be wondering what all this fuss is about.'
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Vaccination backslide
Listen to article The Covid-19 pandemic caused a staggering 23 million children to miss out on basic childhood vaccines in 2020, which was the highest number recorded since 2009. According to a 2024 WHO report, global immunisation efforts were yet to fully recover, with vaccination rates for diseases like diphtheria, tetanus and measles remaining well below 2019 levels. And now, a new crisis threatens to derail progress almost as much as the pandemic did — the US aid funding cuts. Trump's 'America First' policy, which introduced sizeable aid funding cuts, has already impacted numerous global humanitarian efforts. These include environmental protection and conservation work, aid for crisis impacted people, support for refugees of war-stricken countries, and, in Pakistan's case, HIV/AIDs prevention. Outbreaks of infectious diseases including meningitis, measles and yellow fever, have been increasing globally at an alarming rate, but low and lower-middle income countries are taking substantial hits. This is especially concerning news for Pakistan, which has not yet achieved key goals of polio eradication and measles despite ongoing efforts for prevention and vaccination. It is a saddening state of affairs that despite decades of progress in science and modern medicine, the world is still grappling with preventable diseases. According to a joint release by WHO, Unicef and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the US stands to risk similar outcomes in the childhood vaccination backslide — a crisis caused by the US funding cuts. This is not merely a health crisis, but a political and moral failure. The ripple effects of reduced funding threaten to undo years of collaborative progress for today's as well as future generations. Pakistan now faces an even steeper climb towards disease prevention and immunisation efforts. With international funding no longer a sustainable and reliable option, the government must enact an action plan that prioritises domestic investment in public health infrastructure and outreach.
