Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Ministry of Health and Social Services is engaging the US Embassy regarding a waiver following the US government’s decision to freeze foreign aid, affecting US-funded non-governmental organisations.
The ministry’s executive director, Ben Nangombe confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the embassy to determine the status of aid-dependent programmes.
“We are engaging the US Embassy on the waiver,” he said.
The freeze was implemented by US President Donald Trump’s executive order on foreign aid, which led to a 90-day suspension of the USG President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funded HIV/AIDS treatment across the African continent.
PEPFAR has been America’s greatest international contribution to global public health.
In 2023, Namibia will receive $84 million from this fund.
The funds supported the national health system by strengthening programs and trickling down to vulnerable populations via the procurement of life-saving medicines.
US Embassy public affairs officer Tiffany Miller said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that only life-saving assistance, such as food and medicine, is exempt from the foreign aid freeze.
“Secretary Rubio has paused all US foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID for review,” said Miller.
The directive, issued by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on 27 January, instructed all implementing partners to halt work under their respective funding agreements.
This also led to the suspension of health support services.
The USAID website confirmed that, effective 7 February, most agency personnel were placed on administrative leave, with non-essential contracts terminated.
It said affected staff posted outside the US would be repatriated within 30 days, with case-by-case exceptions based on personal circumstances.
The website was taken down earlier this week.
Rubio, speaking at a press briefing on 4 February, defended the aid freeze.
“Foreign aid is not charity. It exists for the purpose of advancing the national interest of the United States,” he said.
He added that organisations should apply for waivers if their programs qualify.
“If some organisation is receiving funds from the United States and does not know how to apply for a waiver, then I have real questions about the competence of that organisation,” said Rubio.
The freeze affects a range of programmes, including HIV prevention, LGBTQ support, and climate change initiatives.
Former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, last week questioned why leaders are crying about the U.S. government aid freeze.
“Why are you crying? Do you pay taxes to the U.S. government? Their aid is not your money, and it was never part of your national revenue. If they choose to freeze it, that’s their decision,” he said.
In South Africa, the government has stepped in to fill funding gaps.
The health minister of that country, Aaron Motsoaledi, assures that, despite the U.S. aid freeze, South Africa will ensure a continuous ARV supply for HIV patients.
