THE United States embassy to Harare says it is reviewing its aid programmes in Zimbabwe to bring them in line with President Donald Trump’s new stance on foreign aid that saw Washington putting a pause on its global humanitarian programmes on January 20.
Trump’s executive order saw an abrupt halt to programmes funded through the State Department and United States Agency for International Development (USAid).
On January 28, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a waiver to all implementing US government agencies, partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to continue or resume work for core life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter and subsistence assistance, as well as supplies and reasonable administrative costs necessary to deliver such assistance.
The embassy said the review of all foreign assistance programmes would ensure they were efficient and consistent with US foreign policy under Trump’s America first agenda.
“The US embassy in Zimbabwe has paused its foreign assistance and is reviewing its programmes to bring them in line with the executive order and the waiver,” the embassy said in a statement.
After Trump’s order, a number of NGOs in Zimbabwe funded by USAid were forced to suspend their operations and sent workers on leave.
Washington said the review would take at least 90 days, but there are fears that in countries such as Zimbabwe, the pause in aid could result in loss of lives.
The US embassy said Washington was proud of the impact of its humanitarian programmes in Zimbabwe, which included supporting 1,2 million people with lifesaving HIV drugs and feeding the hungry during last year’s El Niño-induced drought.
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“The United States is proud of the gains we have helped Zimbabwe make in health, food security and development,” the embassy said.
“Today, 1,2 million Zimbabweans live longer, healthier lives because of PEPFAR [President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief]’s support for HIS services.
“More than 500 000 Zimbabweans have benefited from US humanitarian assistance during the El Niño-induced drought.
“Over 1 600 public hospitals and clinics have benefited from training and technical support from the United States.”
Meanwhile, in a statement earlier, USAid said all directly hired personnel would be placed on administrative leave across the world at the stroke of midnight tomorrow.
All designated personnel for “mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programmes” and essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed this afternoon.
“For USAid personnel currently posted outside the United States, the agency, in co-ordination with missions and the Department of State, is currently preparing a plan, in accordance with all applicable requirements and laws, under which the agency would arrange and pay for return travel to the United States within 30 days and provide for the termination of PSC and ISC contracts that are not determined to be essential,” the statement said.
USAid will consider case-by-case exceptions and return travel extensions based on personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons.
“For example, the agency will consider exceptions based on the timing of dependants’ school term, personal or familial medical needs, pregnancy and other reasons. Further guidance on how to request an exception will be forthcoming,” it said.
