- Donald Trump suspends foreign aid for 90 days pending review
- Several local NGOs have been receiving funding from USAID
- Over 85 service centres shut down affecting over 66,000 beneficiaries
- 680 employees lose jobs
The recent decision by US’ new administration to suspend its foreign aid has had a devastating impact on Botswana’s civil society organizations (CSOs), forcing the closure of over 85 service centres, loss of employment for 680 employees affecting over 66,000 beneficiaries of services.
President Donald Trump has recently signed an executive order freezing all new government spending on foreign aid for 90 days pending review, a decision that led to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) shutting down its operations. Trump’s decision has disrupted essential health, education, and humanitarian programs across Africa nations, Botswana included.
Several NGOs here have been receiving the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding through USAID for HIV prevention and life-saving treatment services has also been affected.
The Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (BOCONGO) has since raised urgent concerns over the abrupt halt of programs in healthcare, social protection, and democratic governance.
According to a rapid assessment conducted by BOCONGO, at least 680 employees from various CSOs have lost their jobs, with the number expected to rise as the situation unfolds. Meanwhile, approximately 66,836 vulnerable individuals have been affected by the loss of services, including those receiving HIV/AIDS treatment, gender-based violence care, and life skills training.
The funding freeze has forced multiple CSOs to shut down operations, affecting organizations such as Sentebale Charity, Tebelopele Wellness Centre, Botswana Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Support Centre (BGBVC), and Humana People to People. Over 85 service centres across the country, from Gaborone to remote regions such as Ngamiland and Ghanzi, have ceased operations.
The assessment highlights that thousands of vulnerable citizens, including orphans, people living with HIV, and victims of gender-based violence, have been left without crucial support. The funding suspension has particularly affected organizations that relied on financial assistance from key US entities such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the US Embassy in Botswana.
The assessment highlights the widespread disruption of healthcare services, particularly HIV testing, prevention, and treatment programs, as well as tuberculosis (TB) screening and gender-based violence response services. The DREAMS program, which supports young women in HIV prevention, has also been significantly affected. Additionally, the suspension has halted the provision of social protection services such as psycho-social support for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and emergency assistance for struggling families.
Democratic governance initiatives have also suffered, with BOCONGO’s voter education and civic engagement programs—including the Motlhophi Bua podcast, which provided a platform for political dialogue—coming to an abrupt stop.
In response to the crisis, BOCONGO has urged the Botswana government and development partners to intervene swiftly. The organization recommends an urgent transfer of affected clients and service programs to government-run facilities to ensure continuity. Additionally, BOCONGO proposes the establishment of an NGO Development Fund, supported by 1% of the national budget, to help civil society organisations sustain their operations independently of foreign aid.
