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The recent suspension of U.S. foreign assistance has caused confusion and concern among organizations that rely on these funds, including many church-based groups in Africa. The halt in aid, which affects projects such as clinics for antiretroviral treatment and rural water initiatives, has left many organizations scrambling to continue their work.
Gabriel Njiru, director of Caritas in the Diocese of Garissa, Kenya, expressed the impact of the sudden stop: “It is devastating on all levels, from the church to the community.” A small water project he was working on had to be halted abruptly due to the funding pause.
Africa has been a significant recipient of U.S. aid through USAID, with an average annual support of around $8 billion over the past decade. In 2023 alone, this figure reached $15.7 billion. Projects supported by USAID span various sectors including health and education.
Particularly affected are HIV/AIDS programs which have relied heavily on PEPFAR support. While a limited waiver for life-saving HIV treatment services was later allowed by the government, local experts describe the situation as dire.
Pascalia Sergon from African Jesuit AIDS Network highlighted concerns over future funding: “The new policy on funding has broken the cycle where these organizations or government institutions were fully funded by USAID.”
Alphas Okeyo Otieno from Oyugis Integrated Project noted that their outreach efforts are already feeling strained due to halted aid: “We were fully dependent on U.S funding for drugs and payment of personnel.”
Father David Osaka pointed out potential consequences if aid remains suspended: “If drugs are not available, there will be deaths.”
The African Jesuit AIDS Network fears long-term effects like increased infections and poverty due to disrupted health systems.
Despite these challenges, officials stress that they cannot let their work with needy communities falter entirely. Sergon remarked: “This can be an opportunity to work against corruption in our institutions and countries.”
Fredrick Nzwili reported this story from Nairobi for OSV News.
