In an exclusive interview, Jan Egeland, the secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), has issued a stark warning against NATO nations' potential plans to escalate military spending to five per cent of GDP. He labelled this move a "major strategic mistake" that could have long-term repercussions for global stability.
Critique of US Aid Cuts and Asian Contributions
Egeland emphasised that while much attention has been focused on the impact of US aid reductions, insufficient scrutiny is being applied to industrialised Asian nations, particularly China and India. He argued that these countries provide minimal foreign aid despite their substantial economic growth.
"There has to be a much more aggressive calling out not just the US, but also other countries like China and the nations of Southeast Asia," Egeland stated. He highlighted the disparity by noting India's capability to execute a moon landing while offering no aid for humanitarian operations in Sudan.
Impact of US Funding Instability
The NRC has faced significant challenges due to President Trump's abrupt cuts to US foreign aid programmes. Egeland revealed that the NGO's global workforce decreased from 15,000 to 14,000 as a result. He described a chaotic period with repeated stop-and-restart orders for critical projects, including aid for Ukraine war victims and subsidised bread initiatives in Sudan.
Although the US has recently signalled renewed support for foreign aid, Egeland expressed uncertainty over future funding levels, citing a "huge question mark" hanging over NRC's financial prospects from American sources.
Norway's Aid Commitment Versus Global Shortfalls
Egeland praised Norway, a nation of just 5.5 million people, for its commitment to allocating one per cent of its Gross National Income (GNI) to foreign aid, making it the world's ninth-largest humanitarian donor. In contrast, he criticised other wealthy nations for contributing significantly less.
The UN target for foreign assistance is 0.7 per cent of GNI, yet the UK is projected to provide only 0.3 per cent following recent cuts. Egeland pointed out that China and India, often still classified as developing countries, are not formally obligated to provide aid under agreements like the 1992 climate convention, despite their economic advancements.
Consequences of Aid Reductions for Military Spending
Egeland warned that strategies adopted by countries such as the UK, Germany, and France to slash foreign aid in favour of increased military expenditure will fail to achieve their intended security goals. "I understand that countries feel threatened by what Russia is doing in Ukraine, but if we forget about what is needed to bring stability to other parts of the world, we will live to regret it," he said.
He described NATO's aim to spend five per cent of GDP on defence as "astronomic" and "unprecedented," comparing it only to wartime levels. Egeland argued that this approach fosters introversion and nationalism rather than promoting stability.
Migration and Climate Crisis Concerns
Egeland linked cuts in foreign aid to increased migration pressures, citing examples from Syria and Sudan. He noted that despite the end of Syria's civil war, little funding has been pledged for reconstruction, forcing many Syrians to remain in Europe. Similarly, refugees in Eastern Chad expressed intentions to risk dangerous Mediterranean crossings due to a lack of economic opportunities.
On the climate crisis, Egeland criticised politicians for publicly advocating climate action while reducing aid for overseas climate programmes. He highlighted the UK's decision to cut climate aid to £6 billion over three years as a "huge betrayal."
Risk of Returning to "Dark Days"
Looking ahead, Egeland warned that further aid reductions could lead to a return to the "dark days of the 1980s," marked by severe famines. "At the moment we are dropping very hungry people to prioritise those on the brink of famine. We are having to drop so many vulnerable communities, and I am very concerned what the consequences of all of this might end up being," he concluded.
