US Cuts to Foreign Aid Threaten UN Peacekeeping Operations

UN peacekeeping missions face financial strain after the US cut $4.9 billion in foreign aid, including over $800 million for peacekeeping. The US, the largest contributor, accounts for nearly 27% of the budget. With 11 active missions, the UN urges all member states to pay contributions on time to sustain operations. Experts warn the cuts could have serious consequences for global peace, health, and development. ---

United Nations peacekeeping missions are currently facing considerable financial challenges, as recent budget cuts from the United States could severely affect their capacity to protect civilians in conflict-affected countries such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a UN peacekeeping spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Last week, US President Donald Trump unilaterally cancelled $4.9 billion in foreign aid that had already been approved by Congress. This sum includes over $800 million earmarked specifically for international peacekeeping operations.

A UN peacekeeping spokesperson in New York emphasized the potential consequences of these cuts, stating, "Without sufficient resources, we will be doing less with less, with potentially serious implications for peace and security in contexts such as South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where financial constraints could significantly limit our ability to protect civilians."

The United States is the largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, accounting for nearly 27% of the total budget. This is ahead of China, which contributes 18.7%, and Japan, which contributes 8%. Earlier this year, the White House proposed completely eliminating Washington’s contribution for 2026, citing alleged failures of certain peacekeeping missions as justification.

Currently, the United Nations is running 11 active peacekeeping operations worldwide. These include MINUSCA in the Central African Republic, UNMISS in South Sudan, and MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Under the Charter of the United Nations, member states are legally obligated to help finance these missions. The UN spokesperson urged, "We urge all member states to pay their contributions to peacekeeping in full and on time to sustain the vital work and impact of peacekeeping."

Earlier this year, in May, UN Secretary-General António Guterres also called on member states to fulfill their financial commitments for peacekeeping, highlighting that the strength of the organization’s operations is directly tied to member states’ willingness to support them. "The world body’s peacekeeping operation is only as strong as member states’ commitment to it," he said at the time.

Since returning to office, Donald Trump has sharply reduced US foreign aid, a move that experts warn could have disastrous consequences for global health and development. In February, his administration pledged to cut foreign aid contracts through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) by more than 90%. The agency officially shut down in July, marking a major step in the US’s withdrawal from its previous global aid commitments.