By Pemphero Malimba & Benadetta Chiwanda Mia
Some interventions on women empowerment, climate change, sexual and reproductive health are likely to be affected following the announcement of the withdrawal of United States (US) funding to organisations that support the provision of these services.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump issued the directive through a Presidential Memorandum after considering a report submitted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Over 60 organisations have been affected, including the United Nations Population Fund, International Trade Centre, the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the UN entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women.
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Trump said he observed that operations of the organisations were contrary to the interests of the US government.
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“I hereby direct all executive departments and agencies to take immediate steps to effectuate the withdrawal of the United States from the organisations listed in section 2 of this memorandum as soon as possible. For United Nations entities, withdrawal means ceasing participation in, or funding to, those entities to the extent permitted by law,” he said.
He added that his review of further findings from the Secretary of State was ongoing.
On February 4, 2025, the US president issued an Executive Order aimed at withdrawing his government from, and ending funding to, certain UN organisations, as well as reviewing US support to all international organisations.
The Executive Order directed the Secretary of State, in consultation with the United States Representative to the United Nations, to conduct a review of all international intergovernmental organisations of which the US is a member and provides any type of funding or other support, as well as all conventions and treaties to which the US is a party.
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UN organisations such as UNFPA have been instrumental for Malawi in the implementation of sexual and reproductive health services.
Health rights activist Maziko Matemba said the development was an eye-opener for Malawi to start considering supporting such interventions locally.
“Malawi should look at this and reflect on how what we have learnt over the years can be replicated from the UN agencies so that the disruption should not be huge,” Matemba said.
On her part, Non- Governmental Organisations Gender Coordination Network Chairperson Maggie Kathewera Banda said the cut would hinder gains made in the implementation of women empowerment programmes in the country.
“The cut in funding for agencies that support gender and women empowerment means that programmes implemented by NGOs funded by those agencies will be derailed. This will erode the gains made in the past, and obviously women’s lives will also be affected,” Kathewera Banda said.
United Kingdom-based economist Velli Nyirongo said reduced US funding could slow, or scale back, programmes supported by UN agencies in health, climate adaptation, agriculture and gender equality.
“When funding shrinks, projects are delayed and technical support becomes limited. This would hit Malawi hardest in food security, health systems and climate resilience,” Nyirongo said.
He added that Malawi could also lose a strong global advocate, as bodies such as the UN Economic Commission for Africa help low-income countries push for debt relief and development finance.
“With less US involvement, these institutions weaken, reducing their influence and ability to push reforms that benefit countries like Malawi,” he said.
Government spokesperson Shadric Namalomba expressed optimism that the US and UN would continue supporting Malawi in other forms.
“These UN agencies have been very helpful in supporting country activities and efforts.
“On the other hand, the US government has got many mechanisms for supporting countries. Any form of support that the two parties would give to Malawi, is welcome,” Namalomba said.
In 2025, the US also froze United States Agency for International Development funding, leading to the termination of contracts worth over K400 billion in Malawi.
