UN financial crisis threatens aid and development in Zimbabwe
CHENGETAI MURIMWA
Zimbabwe could soon feel the pinch from a deepening financial crisis at the United Nations (UN), amid warnings that the global body may run out of funds by July after key member states, including the United States delayed or withheld contributions.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the situation as an imminent financial risk, triggering concern that critical humanitarian, development and peace-building programmes could be scaled back or suspended altogether.
In Zimbabwe, the UN plays a central role in funding humanitarian assistance, food security programmes, health services, education support and disaster response — particularly during periods of drought, cyclones and disease outbreaks that have become more frequent in recent years.
Political analyst Takura Zhangazha warned that a funding crunch at the UN would have far-reaching consequences for countries such as Zimbabwe that depend heavily on multilateral support.
“As long as the UN lacks funding, it basically means a lot of developmental and humanitarian work comes to a standstill,” Zhangazha said.
“It also means that international political mediation efforts are stalled. This is an unfortunate development, and it is in the interest of all member states to take this matter seriously and settle their outstanding subscriptions to the UN.”
Zhangazha added that a weakened United Nations would undermine global stability, with the heaviest burden falling on developing countries.
“The UN has always been an important arbiter of conflicts and a key messenger of human development and peace,” he said.
“A world without a functional UN would not operate normally, and that would be a dangerous and uncertain global setup.”
Zimbabwe currently works with several UN agencies, including the World Food Programme, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and the United Nations Development Programme, which collectively support millions of vulnerable citizens across the country.
