Disaster Looms as USAID Suspends 83% of Programs
The humanitarian sector in Africa is bracing for a devastating impact as USAID suspends 83% of its programs, leaving millions of people vulnerable.
The suspension, announced by the US government, has sparked widespread concern among aid agencies, governments, and beneficiaries.
USAID has been a crucial source of funding for various sectors in Africa, including health, education, and food security.
The agency’s programs have been instrumental in supporting vulnerable communities, particularly in countries such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Kenya.
However, the US government has deemed it necessary to review and suspend a significant portion of USAID’s programs.
The review, conducted by the US government, found that 83% of USAID’s programs were not aligned with the core interests of the United States.
This decision has raised concerns about the future of humanitarian aid in Africa, particularly in countries that rely heavily on USAID funding.
The suspension is expected to have far-reaching consequences, including the closure of clinics, schools, and food programs.
“After a six-week review, we are officially cancelling 83% of the programmes at USAID,” said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“The 5,200 contracts that are now cancelled spent tens of billions of dollars in ways that did not serve, (and in some cases even harmed), the core national interests of the United States.”
Rubio emphasized that the remaining 18% of USAID programs will be administered more effectively under the State Department.
“In consultation with Congress, we intend for the remaining 18% of programmes we are keeping (approximately 1,000) to now be administered more effectively under the State Department,” he said.
The suspension of USAID programs has already started to have an impact, with clinics in South Africa that offered free antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) shutting down.
The Zimbabwean government, which has been criticized for neglecting public health and education, claims to have a backup plan, but citizens are bracing for the worst.
–NewZW
