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US denies Trump aid cuts are affecting Zimbabwe's HIV treatment
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The United States government has rejected allegations that its recent aid reductions are jeopardising Zimbabwe's access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and other essential humanitarian and health programmes. This follows growing fears that a funding freeze initiated by former US President Donald Trump could push Zimbabwe's already fragile healthcare system back to the devastating levels witnessed between 2008 and 2010, when thousands died due to limited access to HIV treatment.
In January, Trump ordered a 90-day suspension of foreign aid as part of a broader realignment of US foreign assistance policy, aimed at ensuring donor funding aligned more closely with American interests. This move raised alarm in Zimbabwe, which received approximately US$360 million in aid from the US in 2024 alone.
Responding to these concerns, a US government official told NewsDay on Monday that despite the policy changes, funding for critical life-saving projects remains a top priority. The official confirmed that US$223 million has already been allocated for assistance to Zimbabwe this year, not including additional centrally funded initiatives.
"We continue to prioritise HIV support, including ART provision, for over 1.2 million Zimbabweans. That commitment extends through to the end of 2025," the official said. "There has been no disruption in this area. Reports claiming shortages of ART due to US aid cuts are inaccurate."
The official acknowledged that while the US government is in the midst of a broader review of its global funding policies, most of the programmes in Zimbabwe are performing well and remain active. Technical support for health-related activities is still ongoing, although some prevention-focused efforts such as the DREAMS programme - designed to reduce HIV infections among young women and girls - have been scaled back.
The official expressed disappointment over media reports suggesting that the US had halted all support to Zimbabwe, emphasising that much of the funding remains in place to prevent loss of life and ensure continuity in key areas. They also urged the Zimbabwean government to take greater responsibility for health service delivery and reduce reliance on donor funding.
"We've made significant progress in the HIV response, and this has allowed the Zimbabwean government to reallocate its resources. But we must move beyond the mindset that foreign aid is the solution to every problem," said the official. "Zimbabwe is rich in natural resources. With good governance and investment, the country could generate its own revenue at levels comparable to what we provide through aid."
While reaffirming the US's commitment to life-saving interventions, the official revealed that funding for maternal health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been severely curtailed. "There has been a very concerning increase in maternal mortality. Most maternal health projects are being discontinued unless they are directly tied to HIV, such as prevention of mother-to-child transmission. And currently, there is no US funding for NCDs in Zimbabwe," the official noted.
The aid realignment has already had significant employment consequences for USAid's operations in Zimbabwe. According to the official, 100 USAid workers have lost their jobs due to the funding freeze, including 75 local staff members. Twenty-five expatriate workers are also being repatriated. "Outside USAid, the impact is likely far greater. Thousands of jobs may be affected when you consider implementing partners and non-governmental organisations."
The official also stressed the need for a more balanced partnership between Zimbabwe and its international donors. "We need to shift toward a win-win model. Foreigners are not here to solve all your problems. What's needed is a conducive investment environment that benefits both the Zimbabwean people and those providing support."
Trump's Executive Order in January accused the foreign aid bureaucracy of being out of touch with American values and interests. As part of the policy review, funding for non-governmental organisations, international agencies, and private contractors was suspended pending assessments of efficiency and alignment with US foreign policy goals.
Despite the freeze, the Foreign Assistance Department confirmed that in 2024, Zimbabwe received over US$364 million in support from the US. The funding covered a wide range of sectors including global health, agriculture, food security, democracy, governance, environmental protection, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Major investments went into the Global Health Supply Chain, HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention, food security, humanitarian relief, and governance projects.
The cuts come at a time when Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube had projected that Zimbabwe would receive up to US$800 million from development partners in 2025. As the aid landscape continues to shift, both local and international observers are urging the Zimbabwean government to strengthen domestic capacity and resilience to avoid over-dependence on foreign donors.
In January, Trump ordered a 90-day suspension of foreign aid as part of a broader realignment of US foreign assistance policy, aimed at ensuring donor funding aligned more closely with American interests. This move raised alarm in Zimbabwe, which received approximately US$360 million in aid from the US in 2024 alone.
Responding to these concerns, a US government official told NewsDay on Monday that despite the policy changes, funding for critical life-saving projects remains a top priority. The official confirmed that US$223 million has already been allocated for assistance to Zimbabwe this year, not including additional centrally funded initiatives.
"We continue to prioritise HIV support, including ART provision, for over 1.2 million Zimbabweans. That commitment extends through to the end of 2025," the official said. "There has been no disruption in this area. Reports claiming shortages of ART due to US aid cuts are inaccurate."
The official acknowledged that while the US government is in the midst of a broader review of its global funding policies, most of the programmes in Zimbabwe are performing well and remain active. Technical support for health-related activities is still ongoing, although some prevention-focused efforts such as the DREAMS programme - designed to reduce HIV infections among young women and girls - have been scaled back.
The official expressed disappointment over media reports suggesting that the US had halted all support to Zimbabwe, emphasising that much of the funding remains in place to prevent loss of life and ensure continuity in key areas. They also urged the Zimbabwean government to take greater responsibility for health service delivery and reduce reliance on donor funding.
"We've made significant progress in the HIV response, and this has allowed the Zimbabwean government to reallocate its resources. But we must move beyond the mindset that foreign aid is the solution to every problem," said the official. "Zimbabwe is rich in natural resources. With good governance and investment, the country could generate its own revenue at levels comparable to what we provide through aid."
While reaffirming the US's commitment to life-saving interventions, the official revealed that funding for maternal health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been severely curtailed. "There has been a very concerning increase in maternal mortality. Most maternal health projects are being discontinued unless they are directly tied to HIV, such as prevention of mother-to-child transmission. And currently, there is no US funding for NCDs in Zimbabwe," the official noted.
The aid realignment has already had significant employment consequences for USAid's operations in Zimbabwe. According to the official, 100 USAid workers have lost their jobs due to the funding freeze, including 75 local staff members. Twenty-five expatriate workers are also being repatriated. "Outside USAid, the impact is likely far greater. Thousands of jobs may be affected when you consider implementing partners and non-governmental organisations."
The official also stressed the need for a more balanced partnership between Zimbabwe and its international donors. "We need to shift toward a win-win model. Foreigners are not here to solve all your problems. What's needed is a conducive investment environment that benefits both the Zimbabwean people and those providing support."
Trump's Executive Order in January accused the foreign aid bureaucracy of being out of touch with American values and interests. As part of the policy review, funding for non-governmental organisations, international agencies, and private contractors was suspended pending assessments of efficiency and alignment with US foreign policy goals.
Despite the freeze, the Foreign Assistance Department confirmed that in 2024, Zimbabwe received over US$364 million in support from the US. The funding covered a wide range of sectors including global health, agriculture, food security, democracy, governance, environmental protection, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Major investments went into the Global Health Supply Chain, HIV and AIDS treatment and prevention, food security, humanitarian relief, and governance projects.
The cuts come at a time when Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube had projected that Zimbabwe would receive up to US$800 million from development partners in 2025. As the aid landscape continues to shift, both local and international observers are urging the Zimbabwean government to strengthen domestic capacity and resilience to avoid over-dependence on foreign donors.
Source - NewsDay
