External health aid and international (research) collaboration is projected to drop by 30% to 40% in 2025 compared with 2023, causing immediate and severe disruption to health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). More than 50 countries have reported job losses among health and care workers, along with major disruptions to health worker training programmes. The UNESCO Chair on ‘Physical Activity and Health in Educational Settings’ also works in this environment and is affected by this current difficult situation. The Chair Team is attempting to develop strategies to overcome or circumvent these obstacles as effectively as possible in order to continue with the planned and to UNESCO proposed research activities.

“Sudden and unplanned cuts to aid have hit many countries hard, costing lives and jeopardizing hard-won health gains,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “But in the crisis lies an opportunity for countries to transition away from aid dependency towards sustainable self-reliance, based on domestic resources. …”

Several countries have already taken decisive action to strengthen their health systems and protect essential health services. South Africa, for example, has allocated additional budget funds to health, or is awaiting parliamentary approval for increases. 

The new guidance builds on WHO’s commitment to help all countries strengthen and sustain robust health systems, built on a commitment to universal health coverage, underpinned by strong primary health services delivering essential care to all who need it.

For further and more detailed information, see the WHO reference dated 3 November 2025.