A Turning Point for Global Aid - Why HHA's Work Matters Now More Than Ever

A reflection by Carwyn Hill, CEO

Since HHA began, few moments have marked such a rapid shift in the international aid landscape as the past few weeks.

I remember 2005, when our HHA journey began, and the Make Poverty History campaign sparked global momentum—uniting governments, schools, businesses, and communities in the belief that we could be the first generation to end extreme poverty. This wasn’t just wishful thinking; between 1990 and 2015, the global under-5 mortality rate dropped by 53%.
On my recent trip to Haiti, I witnessed the reality of that progress. I visited the paediatric and neonatal unit at Justinian Hospital, one of the country’s largest public hospitals and a new HHA partner. Thanks to your support, we’ve provided five state-of-the-art incubators (where before there were no reliable working incubators), a much-needed paediatric doctor, and an exoneration fund ensuring families can access essential medical supplies.

In just the one day I visited, I met three children whose lives have been saved through this support: a six-month-old suffering from severe acute malnutrition; a baby battling sepsis whose family couldn’t afford the expensive medication; and seven-day-old premature infant, orphaned at birth, for whom we are covering all care costs—from lab tests to antibiotics and vital nutrition. A hospital staff member told me: “With your support, we have the possibility to keep this baby alive.” Without it, this has tragically not always been the case.

Yet, even as my week was filled with this incredibly hopeful impact, I also spent my trip grappling with the devastating effects of the recent suspension of USAID funding. One of our community health programmes in Haiti has had to lay off 30 staff, drastically reducing vaccination, malnutrition and maternal health services. In South Sudan, our Kajo-Keji health facility is also affected, as critical reproductive health supplies have been suspended—forcing us to increase independent fundraising efforts. This week, the UK Government announced further aid cuts, and they are not alone.

This is a significant and heartbreaking step back from the progress we once believed was possible. The real cost will be felt by the most vulnerable—millions like those three babies I met in Haiti.

In this climate, HHA's work has perhaps never been so critical. The coming years are going to be incredibly tough for the world’s most vulnerable, but we will continue to hold onto our vision, inspired by the call of Jesus, to love others as we with to be loved – to see a world free from injustice, made up of inclusive, resilient communities that value the dignity and health of every person. Thank you for joining us on this journey.