International aid departments worldwide have experienced significant funding reductions, causing global consequences.

Several European countries including Germany, France, The Netherlands, and Sweden have announced funding cuts within their international aid budgets for 2025, this is alongside The Trump administration cutting $54 billion in foreign aid contracts. As well as the reduction of overseas development aid in the United Kingdom, it is funding will drop from 0.5% of the UK’s gross national income to 0.3%, this is a cut of approximately £6 billion. This has led to catastrophic consequences for countries reliant on international aid. It has left aid agencies all over the world scrambling to bridge the financial funding gap. 

The Government of Ireland’s development cooperation programme is known as Irish Aid; it works with partners all around the world. They are attempting to tackle poverty, hunger, and humanitarian need in over 130 countries. The programme is managed by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and they consider the crucial work they are doing integral to Ireland’s foreign policy. 

“Irish Aid is the Government of Ireland’s international development cooperation programme. Our work contributes Agenda 2030 – the Sustainable Development Goals, with a core focus on reaching the furthest behind first. Our programme supports and works with partners in over 130 countries, addressing issues of poverty, hunger, and responding to humanitarian crises,” said Irish Aid. 

“Ireland’s international development programme is guided by our policy, A Better World, which sets out four policy priorities – gender equality, climate action, good governance and reducing humanitarian need – and three intervention areas: food and nutrition, people (health, education and social protection), and protection (peacebuilding).” 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as Agenda 2030, is referred to as a roadmap for creating a better world. They are considered the foundation of international development and humanitarian work. In 2015, the system was adopted by all United Nations Member States. It contains 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to assist both developing and developed countries in a global partnership.

Irish aid organisations such as Goal, Concern Worldwide, Dóchas and Trócaire are experiencing treacherous consequences due to the lack of international funding. Goal was forced to lay off 30 percent of its staff, leaving approximately 900 people unemployed. The charity operates in 14 countries worldwide and will no longer be able to provide the same level of support to the previous amount of around 11 million people. 

Despite this Irish Aid have confirmed they are not following the European trend and reducing their international aid funding. They are committed to providing substantial aid to the necessary countries. They have stated that their international assistance has steadily increased and will continue to do so. 

“Ireland’s funding for international development assistance has steadily increased over the last number of years. In 2025, the budget for Ireland’s ODA (Official Development Assistance) is over €2 billion. Ireland’s international development assistance programme, managed by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, saw an increase of €35 million to over €810 million,” said Irish Aid 

“This is an increase of 4.5% on the 2024 allocation and is the highest ever allocation since the establishment of the aid programme in 1974. Furthermore, the current Programme for 

Government commits to increase Ireland’s Official Development Assistance annually, working towards the UN target of 0.7% of Gross National Income, 

“For examples of Ireland’s programmes and partnerships, we invite you to read our latest Annual Report (2023).The next Annual Report (2024) will be published later in the year, providing updated information on our work and funding.” 

Irish Aid addressed the significant global financial strain following the suspension in USAID funding and the uncertain times ahead. There have been discussions put in place in relation to whether the funding will be cut entirely, what the implications of that might be and what the plan is moving forward.  

“The Government is closely following the continuing reports and announcements in relation to USAID and the pause in a significant level of its funding and programming. The impact of these decisions is already being felt. Given the uncertainties, we are continuing to assess the immediate and long-term effects with our partners. This includes close engagement with Irish and international organisations as they respond to the implications of the USAID funding cuts,” said Irish Aid. 

There are numerous humanitarian issues that Irish Aid are continuously working on, these include furthering behind first, gender inequality, climate change, reducing humanitarian need, strengthening governance, food and nutrition, health, education, social protection, peace and stability, global citizenship education and as part of the United Nations they are also working towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

“Ireland remains fully committed to our international development cooperation commitments, and to reaching the furthest behind first and to reducing humanitarian need. Ireland has and will continue to work closely with international partners, multilateral organisations, and civil society, and through the European Union in our collective effort to overcome global poverty and inequality, and to advance sustainable development,” said Irish Aid. 

“We recognise that the international aid architecture is facing very uncertain times, including the move by other large donors to reduce their ODA (Official Development Assistance). This will result in significant funding gaps for international development and humanitarian organisations. While Ireland remains firm in our own ODA (Official Development Assistance) commitments, it clearly will not be feasible for us to fill the major funding gaps as a result of the reductions made by other donors.” 

As Ireland and the Department and Foreign Affairs work to navigate the growing uncertainties surrounding the European international aid funding cuts and the suspension of USAID funding, Irish Aid, along with a network of Irish aid organizations are striving to continue to provide substantial relief to countries that depend on international assistance.  

Despite these financial and global setbacks, these aid organisations such as Goal, Concern Worldwide, Dóchas and Trócaire, are exploring alternative strategies, they are continuing to strengthen global partnerships with other aid organisations, and they are advocating for continued global support for countries which require both humanitarian and developmental aid. 

This article is based on information provided to TheCity.ie by Irish Aid.