16 Days: Funding withdrawals a critical blow

The report examines the severe impact of United States funding withdrawals on civil society organisations (CSOs) in Botswana, many of which relied heavily on assistance from USAID. The sudden withdrawal of support has forced over 85 service centres to shut down nationwide. As a result, major organisations such as BONELA, Emang Basadi and Success Capital have halted critical outreach programmes, especially those related to HIV and AIDS, gender-based violence care and life-skills training.

According to a rapid assessment by BOCONGO, at least 680 CSO employees have already lost their jobs, with the number expected to rise. The freeze has also disrupted essential services for approximately 66,836 vulnerable people who depended on community-based health care and support. The report includes testimonies from affected organisations, a community mobiliser who lost her job, and insights from a sociologist on how Botswana and other African countries can address the widening funding gap and protect vital social services in the future.