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The Zambian government has urged citizens not to panic following policy changes implemented by the U.S. government after President Donald Trump’s re-election as the 47th Head of State.
Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Mulambo Haimbe, assured that Zambia was in discussions with the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka regarding the announced policy adjustments.
Speaking in his office on Wednesday after meeting U.S. Ambassador Michael Gonzales, Haimbe reaffirmed Zambia’s strong diplomatic ties with the United States.
“The process is being managed based on the good relations between the two governments,” he said, adding that relevant Zambian ministries are actively engaging their U.S. counterparts to navigate the transition.
The Trump administration has ordered foreign organizations to halt the distribution of HIV medications purchased with U.S. aid, even if the drugs were already in local clinics. This directive is part of a broader freeze on foreign aid introduced last week.
However, Washington has issued a waiver allowing life-saving humanitarian assistance during a 90-day aid suspension, according to a U.S. State Department memo seen by Reuters.
The waiver, issued on January 28, 2025, follows an earlier exemption granted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for emergency food assistance.
Rubio defined life-saving humanitarian aid as including essential medicines, medical services, food, shelter, and basic subsistence support, but stated that the waiver does not apply to programmes related to abortion, family planning conferences, gender and diversity initiatives, or transgender surgeries.
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