Tanzania’s Civil Society Grapples with Aid Freeze

Tanzania’s civil society is facing a serious crisis after the US government decided to freeze aid, leaving many local organizations struggling to stay afloat.

A new study by the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), which includes more than 300 member organizations, sheds light on the severe impact of this funding cut on Tanzanian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the people who depend on their services.

For decades, the US has been Tanzania’s largest donor, providing billions of dollars in support for health, education, agriculture, and human rights work. This funding was crucial for both the Tanzanian government and the many local organizations working to improve lives across the country. However, following an executive order from former US President Donald Trump, this vital aid was halted, throwing the future of many civil society initiatives into doubt.

The study by THRDC shows that the sudden suspension of US funding has made an already tough financial situation even worse. Many local organizations had already been facing difficulties due to changing donor priorities, growing competition from international NGOs, and shrinking foreign aid. The halt in US funding has pushed these groups to the brink, leading to job losses, project terminations, and disruptions to essential services that thousands of Tanzanians rely on.

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Onesmo Olengurumwa, the national coordinator of THRDC, expressed concern over the worsening situation: “The suspension of US funding has only added to the challenges that these organizations were already dealing with,” he said. “We’re seeing vital programs being cut, and many hardworking people are losing their jobs as a result.”

Many of the affected Tanzanian CSOs depend on secondary grants, which makes them especially vulnerable to funding cuts. The freeze in aid has left them struggling to find alternative sources of support, and without new funding, their ability to continue operations is in jeopardy.

For the Tanzanians who rely on the services provided by these organizations—whether for healthcare, education, or human rights advocacy—the impact is deeply felt. Without these vital services, many vulnerable people face even greater hardships.

This aid freeze has raised alarm about the future of Tanzania’s civil society. While organizations continue to search for new sources of funding, the uncertainty of the situation has many worried about the long-term consequences for the country’s development. With so many people depending on these groups for support, the need for a solution is urgent.