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Experts warn of threat to global health as US freezes overseas aid

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President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day freeze on funding for aid projects.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) distributes tens of billions of dollars ' worth of overseas aid every year .

President Trump is a long-term critic of overseas spending and has said it needs to be brought into line with his " America First " strategy.

Health experts have warned of the spread of disease, as well as delays to the development of new treatments.

USAID provides up to 40% of the world's development aid.

Health programmes is where the impact of a funding freeze is likely to be felt most keenly.

Prof Rosa Freedman said this could lead to a rise in healthcare problems around the world.

She said preventable diseases, such as cholera and malaria , could reappear or worsen.