(PORTLAND, Oregon) June 17, 2025 – Medical Teams International, a global health and humanitarian relief organization, is marking World Refugee Day with a warning from the frontlines of refugee health care. Without a renewed commitment to humanitarian aid, decreased global funding will likely have deadly consequences for refugees, internally displaced people, and the communities that host them.

Last week, the U.N. Refugee Agency reported that there are now more than 122 million people around the world who have been forcibly displaced – the highest number in recorded history. Basic health care and mental health services are critically needed for people living in crowded refugee camps (often for years), suffering from treatable diseases and lacking regular access to food, water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Funding for health care in the humanitarian sector was declining even before the U.S. government’s decision in early 2025 to abruptly and sharply reduce its global aid flow. Previously, the U.S. had championed and supported programs focused on eliminating diseases, containing deadly outbreaks, and strengthening health systems in other nations.

Now, Medical Teams staff and partners are facing the consequences of the immense funding gap. For example, in Ethiopia, our partners are set to run out of supplies to treat malnutrition in July, forcing humanitarian healthcare providers in the region to ration dwindling supplies, treating only severe acute cases of malnutrition. This means all they can do is monitor moderate cases of malnutrition, even for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The pause in preventive treatment will likely lead to increased cases of severe acute malnutrition, which can cause irrevocable health problems or death.

Another example of the impact is in Sudan, which is facing the world’s largest, most severe hunger and displacement crisis. Medical Teams’ total funding has dropped 66% while our caseload has increased by 25%. Many global partners have suspended or reduced critical services like water, sanitation, nutrition, community health, and mental health services, leaving large gaps and increasing pressure on our team.

“This World Refugee Day, we are asking for more Americans to stand with us as we work to provide compassionate, professional medical care to people in crisis,” said Tricia Caldwell, Medical Teams Chief Development Officer. “As health conditions and circumstances worsen worldwide for refugees, now is the time to strengthen our resolve and generosity.”

To donate to Medical Teams, visit medicalteams.org/donations

About Medical Teams International

Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as refugees, internally displaced persons, and survivors of conflict zones and natural disasters. Daring to love like Jesus, we care for the whole person and serve all people. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams.

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