US Cuts 83% of USAID Global Programs, Zimbabwe Bears the Brunt

By Shingirai Vambe

In a shocking move, the US government has slashed 83% of the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) global programs. The drastic cut, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, follows a six-week review of USAID operations. A staggering 5,200 projects have been discontinued, with Zimbabwe being one of the hardest-hit countries.

According to a list of dropped contracts, USAID had allocated a substantial budget of $522 million for key projects in Zimbabwe. However, a whopping $388 million worth of projects have been terminated. This figure only accounts for projects directly funded by USAID, excluding those supported through other aid agencies, such as the World Food Programme.

The impact of these cuts is far-reaching, with significant consequences for Zimbabwe’s health, economic, and democratic sectors. USAID’s HIV programs, which provided critical support to the country’s response to the epidemic, have been severely affected. Projects worth $90.5 million and $20 million, aimed at providing technical, financial, and material support to HIV programs, have been discontinued. These programs not only supported wages for critical health workers but also targeted vulnerable populations, including adolescent girls and young women.

Other health programs, such as the Zimbabwe Assistance Programme in Malaria (ZAPIM), worth $25.7 million, and a $2.6 million malaria research project, have also been axed. Maternal, neonatal, and child health projects, valued at $16.5 million, have been terminated, leaving thousands of women and children without access to critical healthcare services.

The cuts also extend to economic development projects, such as the Fostering Agribusiness for Resilient Markets (FARM) project, worth $19.8 million. This project aimed to boost crop and livestock production for 20,000 smallholder farmers in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces.

In addition to health and economic programs, USAID’s support for civil society and democratic initiatives has also been severely impacted. Projects promoting citizen participation in governance processes, constitutional reform advocacy, and youth campaigns for good governance have all been discontinued. A $5 million budget for supporting torture victims and a $7 million allocation for enhancing the capacity of the media to hold powerful state and non-state actors accountable have also been cut.

The timing of these cuts is particularly concerning, given Zimbabwe’s ongoing economic and humanitarian challenges. The country is struggling to recover from a devastating economic crisis, and the loss of USAID funding will only exacerbate these challenges.

The recent decision by the US government to slash aid programs in Zimbabwe is set to have far-reaching consequences for the country, including fueling crime and political instability. The move, which will see a significant reduction in funding for various projects, including those focused on health, economic development, and democratic governance, has been widely criticized by experts and civil society organizations.

The cuts, which are part of a broader reduction in US aid programs globally, will have a devastating impact on Zimbabwe’s already fragile economy and social services. The country is struggling to recover from a devastating economic crisis, and the loss of aid funding will only exacerbate these challenges.

One of the most significant concerns is the potential for increased crime and political instability. With reduced funding for programs focused on economic development and democratic governance, there is a real risk that Zimbabwe will experience increased levels of poverty, unemployment, and social unrest.

“This move will have a disastrous impact on Zimbabwe’s stability,” said economic analyst, Gift Mugano. “With reduced funding for programs focused on economic development and democratic governance, we can expect to see increased levels of poverty, unemployment, and social unrest. This will create a fertile ground for crime and political instability to flourish.”

The cuts will also have a significant impact on Zimbabwe’s health sector, which is already struggling to cope with the demands of a growing population. With reduced funding for health programs, including those focused on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal and child health, there is a real risk that Zimbabwe will experience increased levels of morbidity and mortality.

“This move will have a devastating impact on Zimbabwe’s health sector,” said another expert. “With reduced funding for health programs, including those focused on HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal and child health, we can expect to see increased levels of morbidity and mortality. This will have a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, including women and children,” added Mugano.

Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) president, Obert Masaraure told the Post on Sunday Newspaper that there are serious consequences to this effect, with the government negligence on its citizens, majority will suffer.

“It is unfortunate that the US government has decided to cut aid programs in Zimbabwe at a time when the country needs it most, this move will have a devastating impact on vulnerable populations and will undermine efforts to promote economic development and democratic governance in the country. We urge the US government to reconsider its decision and to continue supporting aid programs in Zimbabwe,” said Masaraure.