US funding halt a concern, Namibian civil society body says
Namibian civil society organisations are deeply concerned over the recent suspension of US foreign aid, which includes funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Namibian Civil Society Non-State Actors Network (NamNet) chairperson Mahongora Kavihuha expressed serious apprehension about the future of essential services and life-saving programmes in Namibia.
He cautioned that the health sector is particularly affected, with significant implications for HIV/Aids initiatives supported by USAID.
“Those most affected will be the most vulnerable people," he warned, including "those living with HIV, small children as well as socially and economically disadvantaged groups in urban and rural communities."
He said NamNet urgently calls on the Namibian government to engage with affected CSOs to develop immediate contingency plans to "safeguard essential services amid this funding crisis".
About the abrupt aid stoppage, he said: “Such abrupt actions are not signs of a healthy democracy nor something that should be acceptable among partners within the international community."
Kavihuha added that while the Namibian government has been developing strategies to reduce its reliance on donor funding to ensure minimal disruption of services should funding significantly decrease, "the abrupt suspension of aid presents an immediate and significant challenge that requires an appropriate response and urgent interventions."
Additional support required
He said NamNet is also calling on the Namibian private sector to increase funding for their corporate social investment programmes.
There is an urgent need, he said, to also consider long-term strategic partnerships with civil society organisations (CSOs) whose work impacts the lives of vulnerable and marginalised Namibians, by not only sponsoring materials but also covering programme-related and operational costs.
Additionally, Kavihuha said there is a need to fast-track the implementation of the new social contracting policy and to work with stakeholders to establish sustainable domestic funding mechanisms that ensure uninterrupted operations of CSOs to enable them to continue providing important services to communities.
"While the social contracting policy has been developed in a health context, it needs to be applied in other sectors, too," he suggested.
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In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Namibian Civil Society Non-State Actors Network (NamNet) chairperson Mahongora Kavihuha expressed serious apprehension about the future of essential services and life-saving programmes in Namibia.
He cautioned that the health sector is particularly affected, with significant implications for HIV/Aids initiatives supported by USAID.
“Those most affected will be the most vulnerable people," he warned, including "those living with HIV, small children as well as socially and economically disadvantaged groups in urban and rural communities."
He said NamNet urgently calls on the Namibian government to engage with affected CSOs to develop immediate contingency plans to "safeguard essential services amid this funding crisis".
About the abrupt aid stoppage, he said: “Such abrupt actions are not signs of a healthy democracy nor something that should be acceptable among partners within the international community."
Kavihuha added that while the Namibian government has been developing strategies to reduce its reliance on donor funding to ensure minimal disruption of services should funding significantly decrease, "the abrupt suspension of aid presents an immediate and significant challenge that requires an appropriate response and urgent interventions."
Additional support required
He said NamNet is also calling on the Namibian private sector to increase funding for their corporate social investment programmes.
There is an urgent need, he said, to also consider long-term strategic partnerships with civil society organisations (CSOs) whose work impacts the lives of vulnerable and marginalised Namibians, by not only sponsoring materials but also covering programme-related and operational costs.
Additionally, Kavihuha said there is a need to fast-track the implementation of the new social contracting policy and to work with stakeholders to establish sustainable domestic funding mechanisms that ensure uninterrupted operations of CSOs to enable them to continue providing important services to communities.
"While the social contracting policy has been developed in a health context, it needs to be applied in other sectors, too," he suggested.
[email protected]
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