In many countries, civil society is facing enormous challenges since the USA froze its payments. terre des hommes schweiz is therefore responding with emergency aid for partner organizations.
The abrupt shutdown of the development agency USAID ordered by the US government is endangering human lives around the globe. Until now, the USA has been the largest donor of development cooperation and humanitarian emergency aid. The decision at the end of January to freeze these funds for three months presents civil society worldwide with the greatest uncertainty. Countless organizations that carry out essential work for the local population - for example in hospitals, schools and poor districts - will lose crucial funding. They have to suspend their aid, lay off staff and find other resources. But the consequences of the payment freeze go even further: in many countries of the Global South, security, stability and healthcare are under acute threat. A look at terre des hommes schweiz program countries also shows this.
Colombia: Peace process at risk
Having just returned from a partner meeting in Colombia, Fabiana Kuriki, Program Coordinator for Colombia at terre des hommes schweiz, reports: "In Colombia, the peace process is at stake due to the loss of USAID funding. 70% of all international humanitarian aid in the country comes from USAID. Without these funds, there is a great risk that armed actors will use precisely this standstill to increase their influence." The peace process is in a critical phase, with armed clashes breaking out again last fall. Our local partner organizations are deeply concerned that the spiral of violence could continue throughout the country. In addition, such a short-term stop to payments could result in an irreparable loss of trust in communities where the projects are being implemented.
In neighboring Central America, countries such as El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are also largely dependent on US aid. They face challenges in terms of migration, organized crime and human rights violations. If the funds are withdrawn, destabilization and social tensions are also very likely there.
Zimbabwe/South Africa: HIV sufferers left in the lurch
The spending freeze also has drastic consequences for the healthcare systems in southern Africa. In many regions, the situation with regard to HIV/Aids, early pregnancies and gender-based violence is precarious. Organizations that provide important medical and psychological support and are involved in prevention are particularly hard hit by the payment freeze. For example in South Africa, which has one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world. Tayson Mudarikiri, Co-Program Coordinator for Southern Africa, says: "Almost half of our partners receive direct funding from USAID, and in most cases this covers a significant part of their operating costs. If this money is suddenly withdrawn, it seriously jeopardizes the entire organizations and their programs."
Over the past twenty years, USAID has focused on combating HIV/AIDS. In Zimbabwe and South Africa, this has significantly improved access to vital medicines. A large part of the health system structures are dependent on US funds - it is not realistic to expect the loss of these funds to be compensated for. This also applies, for example, to clinics with which partner organizations of terre des hommes schweiz work closely. In these clinics, affected young people from the projects can pick up their medication free of charge. If this access is lost, it directly endangers the lives of these young people.
Emergency aid for local civil society
The full extent of this irresponsible policy can only be guessed at the moment. What is clear is that this decision marks a turning point in international cooperation worldwide. In many of our program countries, the short-term discontinuation of support poses an existential threat to the continued existence of civil society. Small grassroots organizations in particular usually do not have sufficient financial reserves to compensate for the loss of support. terre des hommes schweiz has defined the strengthening of civil society as a strategic priority for years. A strong and diverse civil society is a prerequisite for a stable and vibrant democracy.
This is why terre des hommes schweiz is providing emergency aid to partner organizations that are no longer able to cover operating costs or personnel expenses due to the reduction in USAID funding. "In view of the dramatic challenges, unbureaucratic and flexible support is the order of the day. Of course, we can only make a small contribution in view of the drastic developments. But it is an important signal that other international donors are showing solidarity with organizations affected by the cuts," emphasizes Franziska Lauper, Managing Director of terre des hommes schweiz. Together with our partner organizations, we will now examine how we can cushion the negative consequences. However, it is also important that we as the Swiss population become clear about what role we as Switzerland and Europe want to play in the world and what values we stand up for. A strong international civil society is now more urgent than ever.
