USAID FUNDING: Eswatini committed to reduce external dependency

LOBAMBA - Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini has told parliament that the USAID funding withdrawal by the Donald Trump administration should present an opportunity to address Government’s contingency plan.

He acknowledged that the Trump's administration decision presents a significant challenge, but also an opportunity for Eswatini to accelerate efforts towards economic self-reliance.

"We expressed our commitment to reducing dependency on external support by driving exponential economic growth and strengthening local capacities, in line with the goals of the Programme of Action," he said.

Subsequent to that, cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Health to assess the full impact of the aid withdrawal and present a detailed report as a matter of urgency. 

"A preliminary report has already been submitted and further assessments are underway. In the meantime, a sustainability plan is being developed to safeguard critical sectors and ensure uninterrupted service delivery," Dlamini added.

The Trump administration said it is eliminating more than 90% of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) foreign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall US assistance around the world, putting numbers on its plans to eliminate the majority of US development and humanitarian help abroad.

The cuts detailed by the administration would leave few surviving USAID projects for advocates to try to save in what are ongoing court battles with the administration.