The suspension of the U.S. foreign aid—amounting to billions of dollars annually—has disrupted vital programs in health, humanitarian relief, and education in Africa continent countries.
Many Africans were aware that Trump’s “America First” policy suggested their continent would be low on his list of priorities.
However, they did not anticipate the sudden suspension of foreign aid from the largest donor in the world, which halted funding for various initiatives such as disease control, girls’ education, and free school meals.
The current suspension risks turning manageable crises into overwhelming disasters, hitting vulnerable populations the hardest.
Despite some exceptions being made in response to global backlash, sub-Saharan Africa may experience the most significant impact as most international aid is paused for 90 days for a spending review.
Last year, the U.S. provided over $6.5 billion in humanitarian aid to the region.
PEPFAR
For many in Africa, attention quickly shifted to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, known as PEPFAR, which is often regarded as the most effective foreign aid initiative globally.
Launched two decades ago, PEPFAR has helped millions access life-saving antiretroviral treatment and has served as the backbone of healthcare systems in places like South Africa, where more than 8 million people live with HIV. By providing daily treatment to 5.5 million South Africans and contributing 20% of the annual $2.3 billion HIV/AIDS budget, PEPFAR plays a critical role that is now under threat.
Over the past twenty years, this program, which has enjoyed bipartisan support, has been credited with saving more than 25 million lives, primarily in Africa, the continent it was intended to benefit the most.
Africanews/Shakirat Sadiq
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