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The withdrawal of United States and other overseas development assistance is threatening gains in reducing maternal and child mortality rates in Asia. A new report, “Maternal and Child Health: How Asian Philanthropy Can Meet the Moment,” from the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society (CAPS) shows funding from the United States, the top global donor for maternal child health, is being pulled back — dropping 84% in Indonesia and 28% in India between 2024-25, according to CAPS analysis of USAID data.
CAPS’ research, which included interviews with 50 philanthropists, companies, nonprofits and experts investing in or delivering maternal child health services in China, India, Indonesia and the Philippines, shows that alongside dominant international players, domestic funders have been investing in the health of mothers and children in distinctive ways, including more hands-on, government-aligned approaches.
“The funding landscape is shifting and there is uncertainty about maintaining progress made on maternal and child health in Asia,” Ruth Shapiro, co-founder and CEO at CAPS said via a statement. “But our research has found that domestic funders are already driving successful initiatives on the ground, bringing unique resources and know-how to the table, alongside critical capital. Asian philanthropy is well-positioned to meet the moment and to ensure that hard-won progress is not lost.”
The research data shows that while overseas assistance has historically been a primary source of support, Asian philanthropists have been quietly investing in upskilling healthcare workers, supporting policy implementation and building the infrastructure to deliver services and essential medicines to mothers and children who need it.
Domestic funders have backed initiatives to scale up healthcare worker capacity. For example, In India, the Piramal Foundation deployed mentoring teams across rural Bihar to train auxiliary nurses, while Asian funders have supported the Children’s Medical Foundation’s “train the trainer” model for neonatal emergency care in rural China.
Asian foundations are also supporting governments to deliver national MCH strategies. Zuellig Family Foundation builds leadership capacity among local officials — now implemented in more than 1,500 municipalities across the Philippines. In Indonesia, Tanoto Foundation has supported the government’s efforts to reduce stunting through several programs, which supports the central and regional governments to plan and budget for early childhood development policies and translate them into local practices. In India, Tata Trusts helps the government leverage technology for decision-making in maternal child health service delivery.
Corporate philanthropy is drawing on business expertise to deliver essential services to remote areas. Kimia Farma, an Indonesian pharmaceutical company, partnered with Islamic philanthropy organization Dompet Dhuafa to launch the Indonesia Healthy Island Floating Clinic to reach mothers and children in remote island regions. In the Philippines, GT Foundation and others have worked with nonprofits to construct local health stations in rural areas to provide maternal services.
The full report is available for download on the CAPS website
