Kathmandu— On July 22, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to allocate an additional $73 billion for defense spending, while simultaneously, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced severe budget cuts that will lead to significant reductions in services for refugees and internally displaced people worldwide.

Humanitarian Cuts Impact Global Health

The UNHCR's budget has been slashed, leading to the layoff of over 5,000 staff members. This reduction comes at a critical time when one in seventy people globally is displaced by conflict or disaster. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations have also faced significant funding cuts, impacting their ability to monitor disease outbreaks and provide essential services.

Strategic Implications of Budget Choices

Critics argue that the U.S.'s decision to prioritize military spending over humanitarian aid is shortsighted. Pandemics like COVID-19 demonstrate that global health crises can quickly become domestic issues, underscoring the importance of robust international health organizations. The reduction in funding for these bodies could lead to millions more deaths and infections globally.

Questioning American Priorities

The stark contrast between increased military spending and reduced humanitarian aid raises questions about U.S. priorities. With the defense budget expected to reach $1 trillion, cutting less than half of one percent for global health and refugee support seems disproportionate. This shift reflects a growing imbalance in the use of hard versus soft power.

(With inputs from CounterPunch)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.