The global financial crisis originated from deregulation of financial markets and the subprime mortgage crisis in the US. As subprime mortgages defaulted, major financial institutions collapsed, slowing global economic growth. This will negatively impact developing countries through reduced trade, investment, and aid. Commodity prices are declining, hurting resource exporters. To protect human development, countries must maintain education and health budgets, focus on inequality, and coordinate macroeconomic policies internationally to moderate the crisis's effects on the poor.