From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m
New Zealand cuts aid to Ethiopia
New Zealand's aid cut to Ethiopia risks starvation deaths as government funds cancer care.
In brief
New Zealand's aid cut to Ethiopia risks starvation deaths as government funds cancer care. New Zealand's decision to slash foreign aid to Ethiopia by $100 million to boost cancer care may cause starvation deaths in the country. Originally reported by RNZ.
New Zealand's aid cut
New Zealand's foreign aid to Ethiopia will drop 25 percent or $100 million to fund cancer care.
Stephen Court warns
World Vision's Stephen Court says cutting aid risks starvation deaths in Ethiopia.
Court's experience
Court witnessed food shortages in Ethiopia twice after USAID froze aid.
Court's quote
Court says telling mothers their children are less important than new zealanders is 'horrid'.
“you know, the person that i've met in the communities i've been to, the mother who's sitting there with a child who's half the weight it should be, on the verge of death, you know, and trying to say to that mother, your child is as important as somebody in my country”
National's plan
National leader Christopher Luxon says aid cut funds cancer care and expands screening.
OECD data
OECD reports international aid fell 23.1 percent in 2025 compared to 2024.
Aid impact
New Zealand's aid saves lives in Ethiopia despite small budget contribution.
The short version
New Zealand's decision to slash foreign aid to Ethiopia by $100 million to boost cancer care may cause starvation deaths in the country.
