By 
Zimbabwe’s non-governmental development sector is facing a major crisis following the issuance of a stop-work order by USAID. This begs the question; who will take over their responsibilities. The directive comes in the wake of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut aid, leading to the freezing of contracts, immobilisation of resources, and suspension of field activities across the country, region, and globally.
The country is already riddled with inflation, bad roads, an unbalanced transportation system, lack of basic commodities like water and sanitation. Will such an already failing system be able to take on more responsibilities and fulfil them.
The funding block has had a disastrous effect, leaving many organisations and people in a state of uncertainty. Operations have stopped, cars are being parked, and thousands of people who depend on these programs are facing a bleak future.
By Gamuchirai Mapako
The situation is not being treated with the urgency it deserves and due to the delayed reaction, the panic might be overwhelming when the effects start sinking in not only to the workers but also to the recipient of the aid. Given that back in 2022-2023, the government brought forward the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Amendment Bill, premising on the assumptions that the NGOs were meddling in politics, wanted control of their day to day operations and wanted to know the flow of money.
The bill some called a draconian law would potentially restrict donor funding and leave helpless communities at the hands of erratic and unsustainable politically weaponised aid.
A closer look into the achievements of these organisations are a clear indication that they were cushioning the government and making up for where they lacked for example the doctors without borders aid. One could easily assume that the government isn’t exactly saddened by USAID cutting funds.
USAID investment in Zimbabwe supported a broad portfolio of health programs and provided treatment for and prevention of diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria and helps increase access to reproductive, maternal, and child health care services for families.
What becomes of the HIV, TB, malaria patients , the young women who need reproductive medicines, the mothers and the children born to parents who cannot afford proper health care. These initiatives have enhanced responsibility, fostered capacity building, and created community incentives to aid in the fight against gender inequality, sexual abuse, drought, child marriages and several other crusades.
There is yet to be an in-depth discussion regarding the real consequences of the situation and no comment has been made by a government representative that answers several people’s questions. The million dollar questions is : Can Zimbabwe as a whole vouch for their government to take over and not disappoint.
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