By staff Reporter
The United States has suspended foreign aid and new grants immediately. This decision follows an executive order by President Donald Trump, asking the Department of State to pause foreign aid for 90 days while it is reviewed by the Secretary of State.
A reliable source told The Anchor that all USAID-funded activities are now on hold. “The U.S. has issued a Stop Work Order, which means NGOs in the country have temporarily stopped their operations,” the source explained.
The stop order has negatively impacted USAID funded activities across Zimbabwe as they have been paced on hold.
This decision surprised government officials and affects funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and gay rights programs. It also stops payments to programs already approved by the U.S. government. The final decision on whether these programs will continue, change, or end will be made after the review is completed.
People in global health are worried about how this will affect programs like PEPFAR (the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). PEPFAR helps people living with HIV, especially in Africa, by funding testing and treatment. In recent years, it has received about $5 billion annually.
“This decision is cruel and dangerous for nonprofit organizations that fight for access to HIV treatment,” said a source.
The State Department has been told to submit a report within 85 days. This report will include recommendations for President Trump on which foreign aid programs should continue and which should be canceled.
For years, Trump and other Republicans have criticized what they see as unnecessary foreign aid spending under the Obama and Biden administrations. Recently, Trump has also taken a tougher stance against Russia, threatening sanctions over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine and urging President Putin to end the war.
