Dear Global Health advocates, leaders and organizations,

We are at a pivotal moment in the fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Recent funding cuts from major global donors threaten to undo years of progress, leaving millions without access to treatment, prevention, and life-saving medical care. Without immediate action, countless lives will be lost, and global health security will be further compromised. 

NTDs affect over 1.7 billion people worldwide, causing long-term disability, blindness, disfigurement, and even death. These diseases, including visceral leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis, devastate entire communities, trapping people in cycles of poverty and limiting economic development. While remarkable strides have been made thanks to global partnerships, innovative treatments, and community-driven initiatives, funding cuts now threaten to reverse this progress.

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The crisis at hand

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• WHO’s 2024 NTD report warns: The World Health Organization's Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2024 highlights funding uncertainties as a significant challenge in combating NTDs. The report emphasizes that financial constraints, coupled with other factors such as geopolitical disruptions and climate change, complicate efforts to address these diseases effectively.   

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• United States foreign aid cuts: The U.S. administration's significant reduction in foreign aid has impacted numerous global health programs, including those targeting HIV, malaria, and maternal and child care. This decision threatens to displace essential health services in conflict zones and halt longstanding programs like PEPFAR, which has saved 25 million lives.

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• Polio eradication efforts at risk: The World Health Organization has warned that the eradication of polio may be delayed if the United States does not reverse its significant funding cuts. The U.S. withdrawal from the WHO and termination of funding for programs, including partnerships with UNICEF and the CDC, have resulted in a substantial shortfall of $133 million, affecting efforts in critical regions like Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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• United Kingdom's aid budget reduction: In March 2025, the UK government announced a reduction of its overseas development aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income, amounting to approximately £6 billion. This decision has been condemned by international development groups, who warn of consequences for vulnerable populations worldwide. These drastic cuts to overseas development aid have already led to the cancellation of essential NTD programs. Experts estimate that this decision could deny nearly 72 million people access to treatment for these diseases in affected regions​.

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The consequences of inaction

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Neglecting NTDs will have far-reaching consequences beyond individual suffering:

 

• Global disease resurgence: Without intervention, NTDs that were once controlled may return at epidemic levels, reversing decades of progress.

• Increased healthcare costs: Treating advanced-stage NTD infections is significantly more expensive than prevention and early treatment.

• Threats to global health security: Weakened health systems in NTD-endemic regions make it easier for other infectious diseases—including potential future pandemics—to emerge and spread globally.

• Worsening poverty and inequality: Many NTDs disproportionately affect children and working-age adults, reducing educational attainment and economic productivity in affected communities.

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The international community cannot afford to ignore this crisis. The loss of funding is not just a temporary setback—it is a direct threat to global health stability and the well-being of millions. Immediate action is needed to restore and expand financial commitments toward NTD eradication.

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Why this matters to Global Health security

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Neglected Tropical Diseases are not just a humanitarian crisis - they are a global security issue. When left unchecked, these diseases:

 

• Weaken entire health systems by overwhelming already fragile healthcare infrastructures.

• Increase susceptibility to emerging infectious diseases, including pandemics.

• Threaten economic stability by disproportionately affecting working-age adults and schoolchildren, limiting workforce productivity and educational opportunities.

• Create long-term societal inequities, further marginalizing the world's poorest populations.

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IDA’s Call to Action

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​We urge immediate and sustained global action to restore and increase funding for NTD programs. We call upon:

 

• Governments to reverse recent funding cuts and commit to long-term investments in NTD elimination efforts.

• Multilateral organizations like the WHO and World Bank to prioritize NTDs within global health security strategies.

• Philanthropic organizations and private-sector partners to fill funding gaps and invest in innovative diagnostics, treatments, and community health programs.

• Global citizens and advocacy groups to raise awareness and demand action from policymakers to protect vulnerable populations.

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Time is running out. Act now!

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We cannot afford to lose the progress we’ve made. Every investment in NTD programs yields immense health and economic benefits, reducing the disease burden and lifting communities out of poverty. Restoring this critical funding is not just a moral imperative—it is essential for global stability, pandemic preparedness, and a healthier future for all.

Join us in demanding urgent action. Sign this call to action and help us protect the world’s most vulnerable populations from preventable diseases.