The decision by US President Donald Trump’s to cut aid will limit Unicef’s ability to reach millions of children in dire need.

Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell said the cuts follow two years of aid reductions at a time of unprecedented need.

“Millions of children are affected by conflict, need to be vaccinated against deadly diseases such as measles and polio, and must be educated and kept healthy,” stated the director.

She noted with concern that as needs continue to outpace resources, the lives of millions of additional children who are vulnerable will be at risk.

“While we consistently brought efficiencies and innovations to our work, and have stretched every contribution to reach vulnerable children, there is no way around it, these new cuts are creating a global funding crisis that will put the lives of millions of additional children at risk,” she lamented.

The organization which is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from governments, private sector partners, and individuals has been helping save millions of children’s lives, helped ensure infectious diseases do not spread across borders, and helped mitigate the risks of instability and violence.

“With our partners, we have made historic progress. Since 2000, global under-5 mortality has dropped by 50 per cent. Millions of children are alive today thanks to this work. Millions more have been protected with improved health and brighter futures,” she pointed out.

She implored all donors to continue to fund critical aid programs for the world’s children. “We cannot fail them now,” she noted.

In Kenya, the USAID cuts are projected to affect various sectors including health, governance, education and food security.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has said that the US funding cut will affect some 85 programmes valued at Sh52.2 billion, which should be funded by the taxpayers. However, critical life-saving programmes, emergency food assistance and police mission in Haiti will continue receiving funding from US President Donald Trump’s administration.