HARARE
—
The
US
Agency
for
International
Development
(USAID)
has
suspended
a
grant
agreement
with
a
Zimbabwe-based
partner
as
part
of
a
reevaluation
of
US
foreign
aid
under
a
recent
executive
order.
Effective
January
24,
2025,
the
implementing
partner
was
instructed
to
halt
all
activities
and
minimize
costs
associated
with
the
award
during
the
suspension
period.
The
directive
also
mandates
an
immediate
end
to
all
Diversity,
Equity,
Inclusion,
and
Accessibility
(DEIA)-related
activities
under
ongoing
USAID
agreements.
Andrea
M.
Plucknett,
USAID’s
supervisory
agreement
officer,
called
on
recipients
to
certify
that
DEIA-related
activities
have
ceased
and
to
identify
any
impacted
subcontractors
or
subgrantees.
Recipients
must
also
provide
a
cost-minimization
plan
and
confirm
compliance
with
the
suspension
order.
The
suspension
reflects
broader
shifts
in
U.S.
foreign
aid
priorities.
Further
guidance
is
expected
in
the
coming
weeks,
according
to
USAID.