The Dutch government is shifting its approach to foreign trade and development aid, focusing on prioritising national interests. This includes significant budget cuts and a strategic reallocation of resources to benefit the Netherlands directly.
Starting in 2027, the Netherlands will reduce its development aid budget by €2.4 billion annually. The total aid budget will drop from €6.1 billion in 2029 to €3.8 billion, reducing development aid as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI) from 0.62% in 2024 to 0.44% in 2029.
The Netherlands, through its embassy in Harare, provides aid to Zimbabwe, with a focus on supporting human rights defenders, promoting gender equality, addressing climate change, and fostering economic development.
Some key beneficiaries of this aid include:
<ul data-end="868" data-start="261">
<li data-end="357" data-start="261">Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, which provides legal support to human rights defenders.</li>
<li data-end="425" data-start="358">Green Impact Centre, working on environmental sustainability.</li>
<li data-end="533" data-start="426">The Bioskop! Short Film Competition, an annual event showcasing and awarding short films in Zimbabwe.</li>
<li data-end="608" data-start="534">Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association, supporting women’s legal rights.</li>
<li data-end="690" data-start="609">My Trees Trust, promoting environmental conservation through tree planting.</li>
<li data-end="789" data-start="691">HeForShe, an initiative involving men in the fight against violence towards women and girls.</li>
<li data-end="868" data-start="790">Birdlife Zimbabwe, working to conserve bird species and their habitats.</li>
</ul>
Development aid will now be tied to the Netherlands’ economic, security, and migration interests. The focus will shift from traditional aid to initiatives promoting trade, economic growth, security, and migration control.
Key priorities will include water management, leveraging Dutch expertise in infrastructure and coastal protection, food security to support local food production and Dutch agribusiness, and healthcare, especially maternal and child health in developing regions.
However, the Netherlands will phase out support for gender equality programs, including funding for UN Women, as well as vocational and higher education programs in Africa, sports, cultural projects, and climate-related funding, especially small-scale renewable energy projects.
Funding for civil society organisations and international NGOs will also be cut in favour of locally-led initiatives.
Aid will be concentrated on a limited number of countries, particularly in Europe’s neighbouring regions.
Development programs in West Africa, the Horn of Africa, and North Africa &amp; the Middle East (MENA) will continue, while regions like the Great Lakes, South Asia, and Latin America will see reduced aid.
Migration control will be central to the new approach, with aid linked to agreements to curb irregular migration and increased investment in refugee programs like PROSPECTS. There will be stronger cooperation with key migration transit and origin countries, such as Morocco and Uganda.
The Netherlands will also strengthen its ties with Dutch businesses in sectors like infrastructure, agriculture, and water, providing incentives for companies to secure international contracts and exploring concessional loans to finance projects.
Humanitarian aid will remain a priority, though funding for UNDP and UNICEF will be reduced by 50%. The government will transition from working with international NGOs to direct partnerships with local organisations and reduce core contributions to the UN and World Bank, focusing aid on projects that align with Dutch interests.
This new strategy will impact regions like West Africa, the Horn of Africa, and North Africa, emphasizing trade, security, and migration.
In contrast, aid to regions outside these priorities will decrease, with a shift towards trade-focused aid rather than direct financial support.

Pindula News

The Dutch government is cutting foreign aid to focus on its own interests. This means less money for NGOs in Zimbabwe that help with human rights, gender equality, and environmental issues. Instead, the Netherlands will give aid to countries in Europe's neighbouring regions. Aid will now support things like water management, agriculture, and healthcare. Funding for gender equality, education, sports, culture, and climate projects will decrease. The focus will be on migration control and working with businesses to benefit Dutch interests. Humanitarian aid will still be given, but funding for international organizations will be reduced.

Dutch Government Cuts Foreign Aid, Impacting Several Zimbabwean NGOs

Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube has said the government will rely on locally generated revenue to sustain the health sector following the withdrawal of key external funding, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zim-turns-to-local-resources-to-fund-health-sector-amid-us-funding-withdrawal/">The Herald</a>.
Recently, the United States suspended funding for vital health programs, including HIV interventions under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
PEPFAR, the leading funder of HIV programs, had committed US$210 million to Zimbabwe in 2024 and an additional US$200 million for the period from October 2024 to September 2025.
To offset this loss, Ncube said that the government plans to use “sin taxes”—levies on alcohol, cigarettes, fast food, and sugary beverages—to support the health sector. He said:
<blockquote>
We have quite a portfolio of various taxes that will be applied towards the budget needs of the health sector.
Of course, the actions taken by certain donors to withdraw funding put pressure on us, but with the resources raised from these sin taxes, we believe we can address some of the challenges.
This is a continuous budget implementation process. Where there is a need, we provide funding. I am pleased that we have a dedicated revenue stream from sin taxes that we can apply specifically to the health sector.
</blockquote>
It remains unclear how much revenue is generated through sin taxes and the AIDS Levy, and whether these funds can fill the gap left by the suspension of international aid, especially given Zimbabwe’s economic challenges and high disease burden.
Shortly after taking office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the World Health Organization (WHO) and suspended foreign assistance for 90 days as part of a shift in foreign aid policy.
It is uncertain what will happen after the 90 days, including whether U.S. funding will be halted or resumed, and under what conditions.

Zimbabwe is facing a problem because the United States is no longer giving money to help with healthcare. To make up for this, the government is going to tax things like alcohol, cigarettes, and fast food to get money for healthcare. The US had given a lot of money before, and now that it's gone, Zimbabwe needs to find other ways to pay for important programs, like those that help with HIV. It's not clear how much money these new taxes will bring in, or if it will be enough to help with all the health problems in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Turns To "Sin Taxes" To Fund Health Sector After U.S. Cuts Aid

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe has temporarily suspended its foreign assistance programmes and is currently reviewing them to ensure they align with President Trump’s Executive Order and a subsequent waiver issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
On January 20, President Trump signed an Executive Order to reevaluate and realign U.S. foreign aid. This directive paused all foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID for review, with the aim of ensuring that such programs are efficient and consistent with the “America First” foreign policy agenda.
On January 28, Rubio issued a waiver permitting U.S. government agencies, partners, and NGOs to continue or resume essential activities. These include providing core life-saving medicines, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance, as well as necessary supplies and reasonable administrative costs required to deliver such aid. Said Rubio:
<blockquote>
I have long supported foreign aid. I continue to support foreign aid. But foreign aid is not charity. It exists for the purpose of advancing the national interest of the United States. Every dollar we will spend as long as I’m Secretary of State – and as long as President Trump is in the White House is going to be a dollar that’s advancing our national interests.
I think we’ll be the most generous nation on Earth, but I think we’re going to be the most generous nation on Earth in a way that makes sense, that’s in our national interest.
</blockquote>
The U.S. Embassy expressed pride in its support to Zimbabwe, noting the significant progress made in health, food security, and development as a result of their assistance. The Embassy said:
<blockquote>
The United States is proud of the gains we have helped Zimbabwe make in health, food security, and development.
Today, 1.2 million Zimbabweans live longer, healthier lives because of PEPFAR’s support for HIS services.
More than 500,000 Zimbabweans have benefited from U.S. humanitarian assistance during the El Nino-induced drought.
Over 1600 public hospitals and clinics have benefited from training and technical support from the United States.
</blockquote>

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe stopped giving money to review programs. This is to make sure they follow President Trump's rules. The rules say that foreign aid should help America first. The Secretary of State is allowing some aid to keep going, like medicine and food. He says this aid should help the U.S. be generous in a way that helps America. The Embassy in Zimbabwe is happy about the help they gave. They say they have helped with health, food, and development in the country. They have helped many people, like those with HIV and in droughts.

U.S. Embassy In Zimbabwe Suspends Aid For Review

Thousands of employees in Zimbabwe’s NGO and civil society sectors face an uncertain future after U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order freezing foreign aid for 90 days.
Most NGOs and CSOs in Zimbabwe, which employ many people, rely heavily on U.S. funding.
Humanitarian aid, service organisations, and political governance programs have been particularly impacted.
Employees in the NGO sector told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200037647/carnage-in-ngos-clinics">NewsDay</a> on Thursday that they are unsure about their job security following the 90-day review. One of them said:
<blockquote>
We are in a difficult position. We don’t know what will happen after the 90 days.
I also do not know where I will get money for rentals since our salaries were also frozen.
</blockquote>
Speaking to NewsDay, Zimbabwe Nurses Association secretary-general Enock Dongo, said that nurses, who were working at local clinics under the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) programme, have been told not to come to work. Said Dongo:
<blockquote>
We have members who have been working at local clinics who have been told not to report to duty today (yesterday).
Those people are under emotional stress and also the patients who were waiting for them are affected.
What the Trump administration has done is very disrespectful. You cannot just wake up and tell people not to come to work without notice.
Even if the Zimbabwean government wants to chip in, it needs to prepare first. Africa should wake up and not rely on Western funds.
</blockquote>
Most of the workers were told to surrender vehicles and gadgets belonging to the NGOs.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) director Blessing Vava said:
I think it is an opportunity for us to go back to the basics and build organic movements, where voluntarism and sacrifice are at the centre.
Trump is doing what he is doing for his country and the American people.
We are Zimbabweans and can never be American, so let’s focus on fixing our problems instead.

Thousands of people working for organizations that help others in Zimbabwe are worried about their jobs. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stopped giving money to these groups for 90 days. This means many workers may lose their jobs or have their salaries frozen. Nurses working at clinics have been told not to come to work. Some people think Zimbabwe should not rely on money from other countries and instead focus on solving their own problems. Workers have to give back the things they got from the organizations. The situation is uncertain and people are feeling stressed.

Thousands Of NGO Workers In Zimbabwe Face Uncertainty

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a new waiver allowing humanitarian assistance programs to resume, despite a freeze on foreign aid.
The waiver enables the continuation of existing programs that provide essential medicines, medical services, food, shelter, and other vital assistance. Said Rubio:
<blockquote>
For the purposes of carrying out the President’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, I am approving an additional waiver of the pause under the Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid and my subsequent direction of January 24, 2025, for life-saving humanitarian assistance during the period of the review.
Implementers of existing life-saving humanitarian assistance programs should continue or resume work if they have stopped, subject to the following directions. This resumption is temporary in nature, and except by separate waiver or as required to carry out this waiver, no new contracts shall be entered into.
1.  (a) For purposes of this waiver, life-saving humanitarian assistance applies to core life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance, as well as supplies and reasonable administrative costs as necessary to deliver such assistance.
(b) This waiver does not apply to activities that involve abortions, family planning, conferences, administrative costs other than those covered by 1(a) above, gender or DEI ideology programs, transgender surgeries, or other non-life saving assistance.
(c) Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) may only be used to support activities under section 1(a) and for repatriation of third country nationals to their country of origin or safe-third-country.
2. Additional waivers or exceptions for humanitarian assistance not covered by this waiver may be sought through the Director of Foreign Assistance at the Department of State. Implementing partners and NGOs are to work through their U.S. government agency partners on such requests.
</blockquote>

The U.S. has allowed some aid programs to continue despite a freeze on foreign aid. This waiver will help provide essential items like medicine, food, and shelter to people in need. The waiver is temporary and only applies to life-saving assistance, not things like abortions or gender programs. Implementers of existing aid programs can continue their work, but no new contracts can be made. Any other humanitarian assistance not covered by the waiver must be approved by the Director of Foreign Assistance.

U.S. Eases Aid Freeze With Waiver To Resume Humanitarian Aid Programmes

The U.S. government has said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration must take full responsibility for the health of Zimbabweans, including procuring anti-retroviral therapy and ensuring clinics are properly staffed with nurses.
Reports indicate that since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, the U.S. has provided over US$5 billion in humanitarian and development assistance, including more than $1 billion in the past three years alone.
The United States remains the largest provider of development and humanitarian aid, with key initiatives like the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and the Feed the Future Hunger and Food Security Program.
However, the Trump administration recently suspended donor support globally. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is now working to strengthen its health, development, and cultural exchange programs.
In a statement released Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe confirmed that, in line with President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign Aid, Secretary Rubio has paused all U.S. foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID for review. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
Consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid, Secretary Rubio has paused all U.S. foreign assistance funded by or through the State Department and USAID for review.
He is initiating a review of all foreign assistance programs to ensure they are efficient and consistent with U.S. foreign policy under the America First agenda.
At this moment, in order to do a thorough review, all programs and grants without a waiver approved by the Secretary of State using foreign assistance funding are paused.
It is time for Zimbabwe to take seriously its responsibility for the health of its people. For HIV, Zimbabwe has hit the 95/95/95 targets.
They urgently need to be focused on buying ART and getting nurses in clinics. They can do this.
</blockquote>

The U.S. government is telling Zimbabwe's leaders they need to take care of the people's health. The U.S. has given Zimbabwe a lot of money for health and other needs. They help with things like AIDS relief and food security. But now, the U.S. is stopping some of this support to review how it's being used. Zimbabwe needs to buy medicine and have enough nurses in clinics. They have made progress in fighting HIV, but there is still work to do. It's up to Zimbabwe to make sure their people stay healthy.

The Health Of Your People Is Your Responsibility, U.S. Tells Zimbabwe's Government

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has said Zimbabwe will need to rely on taxes to fill the gap left by cuts in U.S. foreign aid.
After his inauguration, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a series of executive orders, including withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization and freezing all foreign aid for 90 days to assess whether programs align with his “America First” agenda.
As reported by <a href="https://newzwire.live/mthuli-with-foreign-aid-at-risk-zimbabwe-will-rely-on-taxes-to-fund-healthcare/">newZWire</a>, by the end of 2023, the U.S. had over $300 million in active programs in Zimbabwe, according to the USAID foreign aid portal. These funds are channeled through NGOs, not the national budget.
Zimbabwe receives over $200 million annually from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which supports health workers’ wages and HIV prevention programs.
Speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos recently, Ncube said Zimbabwe will now rely on taxes to fund its healthcare needs. He said:
<blockquote>
We are talking about $200 million or so (on PEPFAR) that is at stake. Our response really should be domestic resource mobilisation, which is what we have been doing.
</blockquote>
When Ncube referred to “domestic resource mobilisation,” he was talking about a range of new taxes he has introduced. These include a tax on sugar content in drinks and a 1% tax on fast food.
In addition to these, Zimbabweans already pay an AIDS levy and “sin taxes” on beer, both of which are aimed at supporting healthcare. Said Ncube:
<blockquote>
All these taxes form the base that we can use to build resource mobilisation to support our health needs. It has to be really through this kind of thinking that we raise resources to support health domestically as foreign funding is under threat.
</blockquote>
WHO estimates that more than half of Zimbabwe’s health spending is funded by external donors. This year, the country expects to receive $461 million for health programs, up from $353 million in 2024.
However, the government has struggled to adequately fund public healthcare. In 2025, Zimbabwe plans to allocate just 2.1% of its GDP to health, down from 4% in 2024.
What little funding is allocated to health is often disbursed late. According to Treasury’s 2024 mid-year report, only 27% of the health ministry’s budget had been used by June.

Zimbabwe needs money to fund healthcare because U.S. aid is getting cut. The Finance Minister, Mthuli Ncube, says they will use taxes instead. They used to get over $200 million a year from the U.S. for AIDS relief. Now they will use new taxes like on sugar and fast food to raise money. The government has struggled to fund healthcare in the past. They hope to raise more money through taxes to support healthcare programs.

Dutch Latest News

Latest Jobs