The devastating impact of Trump's USAID cuts on SA’s HIV programmes
South African NGOs and HIV programmes are counting the cost of US President Donald Trump's cuts to USAID.
Picture: Pexels.com
702's Bongani Bingwa is joined by Mia Milan, founder and editor-in-chief of Bhekisisa.
Listen below:
As good as his word, US President Donald Trump has terminated funding to local and global organisations carrying out vital work in the fight against HIV/Aids.
The move follows the executive order Trump signed on his first day in office, demanding a 90-day freeze on all US foreign aid.
Despite attempts to prevent the funding cuts, an emergency petition to the US Supreme Court this week paused the previous ruling of a federal court judge giving the US government two days to unfreeze all aid.
In a letter sent out this week, affected organisations were told, 'this award is being terminated for convenience and the interests of the US government.'
Malan suspects organisations in South Africa were among the first to receive the communication.
"We know Trump doesn't like us."
- Mia Malan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief - Bhekisisa
Malan says it remains to be seen whether this latest move by the Trump administration signals the end of USAID.
"If it remains in any form, it will look very, very different and will be considerably smaller."
- Mia Malan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief - Bhekisisa
"It's probably the beginning of more drastic cuts."
- Mia Malan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief - Bhekisisa
Malan explains what the direct impact of the cuts on local organisations will be.
"[These NGOs] went into communities and they got people tested for HIV and brought them to clinics, or they would take treatments to communities and make it easier for them to access."
- Mia Malan, Founder and Editor-in-Chief - Bhekisisa
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.