Because of an American decision.. Bill Gates warns: Millions of children may die by the end of this year
American billionaire Bill Gates warned world governments that nearly 4.8 million children may die by the end of this year, due to a decrease in international aid. In 2024, it is estimated that 4.6 million children died before the age of five, but this year the number is likely to reach 4.8 million, according to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This increase is expected to be the first increase in preventable child deaths this century, according to what was reported by Reuters.
Gates said in the annual report of the foundation that bears his name: “Over the decades, the world has made steady progress in saving the lives of children, but now, with increasing challenges, this progress has begun to decline.”
The Gates Foundation report continues. Progress achieved in the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Programme, related to reducing poverty and improving health.
At the beginning of this year, the United States began reductions in international humanitarian aid, and these reductions extended to other donors such as Britain and Germany. The report stated that total global development aid for health decreased by about 27 percent this year, compared to 2024.
Gates said that these reductions are the main reason for the increase in child deaths, despite the presence of other factors such as increasing countries’ debts and weak health systems.
Gates had warned, earlier this year, that these reductions would lead to the death of more children.
If the decline continues, Funding: The report expects that between 12 and 16 million additional children will die by 2045.
The American billionaire called on governments and individuals to redouble efforts and focus on innovative and proven solutions such as vaccination, and investing in health care to enhance children’s health.
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