2024-11-08 05:00:00
“Donald Trump‘s victory is a turning point, also in development policy,” says Jan Kreutzberg, managing director of the German Foundation for World Population (DSW). Organizations working in the field of sexual and reproductive health face a loss of at least $66 billion. What is certain is that Trump will reinstate the Global Gag Rule, which states that there can be no support for organizations that provide any form of advice or information about safe abortions. It is also very likely that Trump will expand this rule to all humanitarian aid and development cooperation in accordance with the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025”. “This also affects multilateral organizations and programs that receive binding support from the Federal Republic,” emphasizes Kreutzberg, citing as examples the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Global Fund to Combat HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis. “As the second largest donor country of public funds for development services after the USA, Germany has a special responsibility to offset the impending financial cuts.”
In some regions of the world, basic medical care is provided by civil society and the very aid organizations whose funding is now significantly at stake. Germany should act proactively and create compensation funds together with like-minded partner countries inside and outside Europe to protect programs and organizations at risk, demands Kreutzberg. “What is needed here is a decisive German and well-coordinated European policy and financing mechanisms that continue to stand up for human rights. The current German government crisis must under no circumstances lead to stagnation,” warns Kreutzberg, because the consequences would be dramatic, especially for girls and women. During Donald Trump’s first term in office, the number of unsafe abortions in sub-Saharan Africa alone almost doubled by 40 percent, while the use of modern contraceptives fell by 14 percent. “But maternal health, AIDS therapies and, not least, the future fight against pandemics are also at stake,” warns the DSW managing director.
The Traffic Light Coalition was the first government to include sexual and reproductive health and rights in its program. “The end of this coalition must not mean the end of feminist foreign and development policy,” appeals Kreutzberg, because this is more important and urgent than ever after Donald Trump’s victory.
About the DSW
The German Foundation for World Population (DSW) is an internationally active development organization. Its goal is to contribute to sustainable population development. Therefore, it supports young people in making self-determined decisions about their sexuality and contraception. At the same time, she is involved in political decision-making processes in the areas of health, family planning and gender equality at national and international levels.
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**Interview with Jan Kreutzberg: Implications of Trump’s Policy on Global Health and Development Aid**
**Host:** Good morning, everyone. Today, we’re joined by Jan Kreutzberg, managing director of the German Foundation for World Population (DSW). Welcome, Jan!
**Jan Kreutzberg:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** As we look at the political landscape following Donald Trump’s recent victory, you mentioned that this is a turning point for development policy. Can you elaborate on what you mean by that?
**Jan Kreutzberg:** Absolutely. Trump’s administration historically reinstated the Global Gag Rule, which restricts federal funding for international health organizations that provide any information about safe abortions. This not only jeopardizes vital reproductive health services but also leads to an estimated loss of $66 billion for organizations focused on sexual and reproductive health worldwide.
**Host:** That’s a staggering amount. How do you see this impacting specific organizations and programs?
**Jan Kreutzberg:** The implications are far-reaching. Organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Global Fund to Combat HIV, Malaria, and Tuberculosis are all at risk as they depend on U.S. funding. With the reinstatement and possible expansion of the Global Gag Rule, many of these multilateral programs may struggle to survive.
**Host:** You’ve mentioned that Germany, as the second-largest donor of public funds for development services after the U.S., has a special responsibility here. What actions do you believe Germany should take?
**Jan Kreutzberg:** Germany needs to act proactively. We should create compensation funds together with allied countries, both in Europe and elsewhere, to safeguard these crucial programs. It’s essential to maintain support for basic medical care, especially in regions where civil society organizations are often the primary providers of healthcare.
**Host:** What can individuals and the general public do to support these efforts?
**Jan Kreutzberg:** Public awareness is crucial. Individuals can advocate for funding and support for reproductive health rights through petitions, contacting their representatives, and supporting organizations that work in this field. Collective action can influence policy change and help mitigate the financial impact of these decisions.
**Host:** Thank you, Jan, for shedding light on these urgent issues and the potential consequences of Trump’s policies on global health and development aid.
**Jan Kreutzberg:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important matters.
**Host:** And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay informed and engaged as we navigate these significant changes together.