For those of us who remember Live Aid, it was a moment in history that will not easily be forgotten. At the time of Live Aid, 40% of the world’s population lived in “extreme poverty” (the equivalent of less than $2 a day). In 2019, that number was down to 7.5%.

But things have changed…

I work for Medair, a Christian charity working in humanitarian aid in some of the most desperate places in the world. We, like all humanitarian aid agencies, are facing a crisis the like of which has not been seen in decades. But I do not think it is hopeless. 

There is a myth that humanitarian work does not work; but it is simply not true; we were winning – from the mid-1800s until the start of the pandemic the numbers of those in extreme poverty was shrinking year on year. We were genuinely on our way to seeing the eradication of global, extreme poverty by 2030!

Here is a great article in the Church Times: https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/28-february/comment/opinion/tackle-misconceptions-about-international-aid

Today, with USAID cutting 83% of its foreign aid (and to be clear; this is not giving notice of funding cuts, or honouring current contracts – this is ordering work to cease instantly), we risk going backwards to figures from before this century.

Despite this, I do not think it is hopeless. I think this is the time for the people of God to step up.

I would love to chat with anyone who is interested, and also to invite you to an online meeting on 3rd April, where you can hear from our CEO and others on the ground in some of the countries where we work, and find out what the current moment in history looks like in reality. If you are interested, please sign up for free here: www.medair.org/connect

Matt Hyam