The government has expressed concern about the possible impacts of the temporary suspension of US foreign aid, decreed by President Donald Trump on 20 January. The measure, which will be in force for 90 days while a review of the assistance programmes is carried out, could particularly affect the health sector, according to Prime Minister Benvinda Levi on Monday (27).
According to the newspaper O País, the prime minister stressed that the greatest impact could be felt in programmes that are essential to the public health system, many of which depend on external funding to operate. ‘At the moment, we must wait for the definitive decision from the United States, but we recognise that the challenges are significant,’ she said.
The suspension is part of a set of executive actions signed by Trump on the day of his inauguration for a second term as President of the United States. Among these measures is also the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In his speech, Trump emphasised that the temporary suspension of assistance programmes aims to ensure that they are aligned with the political objectives and interests of the new administration.
Criticising the so-called ‘foreign aid industry’, the US President said that it has not reflected American values and has sometimes contributed to destabilising world peace. He therefore justified the need for a review of US international assistance programmes.
Over the last four years, the US authorities have invested around 2.8 million dollars (approximately 179 million meticals) in 55 health infrastructure projects in Mozambique.
Among the initiatives carried out are the equipping of the Machava Hospital Laboratory, the construction of 23 Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services spaces, as well as the renovation and construction of 20 health units.
Since 2001, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has collaborated with the Mozambican government, non-governmental organisations and multilateral partners to tackle public health challenges such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and, more recently, Covid-19.
