2027 Aid Cuts Loom As Netherlands Puts Own Interests First
By Catherine MUROMBEDZI
HEALTH CORRESPONDENT
The Netherlands’ new aid policy is set to negatively impact
Zimbabwe’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which rely on Dutch aid. The organisations are facing a significant blow due to the Netherlands government’s new policy to cut €2.4 billion in development aid abroad. This move replicates the United States’ recent foreign aid slash and is set to take effect in 2027, resulting in substantial job losses.
In a global notification, according to the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Reinette Klever, The Dutch interests come first.
“All the programmes we fund must contribute directly to our own interests: promoting trade, enhancing security, and reducing migration.”
The new policy prioritises the Netherlands’ interests, terminating funding for programmes, focused on gender equality, vocational and higher education capacity building, sport, and culture. Funding for climate action, civil society, and UN organisations will also be reduced.
The Dutch embassy in Harare has been providing aid to Zimbabwe, primarily supporting human rights defenders, promoting gender equality, climate change, and economic development. Organisations that will be impacted include:
● Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Right
● Green Impact Centre
● The Bioskop Short Film Competition
● Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association
● My Trees Trust
● HeForShe
● Birdlife Zimbabwe
Shift in Development Aid Strategy
Klever explained that the government will use development aid to boost security in conflict regions surrounding Europe, West Africa, the Horn of Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa. “Giving people future prospects in those regions will enable them to build livelihoods, meaning they won’t have to make the journey to Europe.”
The government aims to make agreements with migration countries to combat migration and encourage return.
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