Foreign aid to Africa falls by over 25%: How women and children are bearing the brunt

What the report says

France 24 Africa’s “The 51 Percent” episode examines the consequences of a sharp decline in foreign aid to Africa, with a focus on how women and children are affected. The program says it reports from Kenya on the impact of cuts to US-aid-backed health programmes aimed at women, highlighting immediate concerns for access to services on the ground.

The broadcast also features an interview with Nana Zulu of the African Women’s Development Fund, who discusses what the funding drop could mean for the wider region. Based on the publisher’s description, the segment places the Kenya case within a broader debate about shrinking humanitarian support and its effects on health, protection and development initiatives.

The episode additionally includes a separate report on female firefighters in Borneo, as Indonesia faces what the broadcaster describes as its worst fire season in 11 years. France 24 says those women are dealing not only with dangerous conditions but also with sexist backlash, adding another example of the pressures women face in crisis settings.

The reporting was published on 9 October 2026. More generally, aid reductions can strain public health systems and community programs, especially where outside funding supports essential services; the program frames that challenge as especially acute for women and children.