Harare, (New Ziana) – In a period marked by global reductions in development aid, Ireland has reiterated its unwavering commitment to international assistance, particularly in health and humanitarian support for countries like Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the commissioning of a state-of-the-art incinerator at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital on Monday, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Neale Richmond emphasized that Ireland would not follow the international trend of cutting aid budgets.
His remarks come in light of increasing aid cuts by major donors, including the United States, which led to a rollback of international development funding during the Trump administration.
“We are absolutely committed to the multilateral process and the work of the United Nations and its agencies,” Richmond stated. “While far too many countries are turning their backs on international development, Ireland has not cut its international development budget.”
Ireland has maintained a long-standing relationship with Zimbabwe, dating back to the era of Irish missionaries. Since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, Ireland has invested over USD$250 million in the country’s development and humanitarian initiatives
Of that, USD$33 million has been allocated to Zimbabwe’s health sector since 2015. Highlighting Ireland’s role in global health financing, Richmond noted that Ireland has contributed USD$400 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and pledged that this support would continue.
“Ireland, of course, is a founding member of the Global Fund,” he said. “We look forward to making our annual contribution later this year. That commitment will continue not just to the work of the Global Fund, but to many important partners working here in Zimbabwe.”
During a visit to Sally Mugabe Children’s Hospital, Richmond praised Zimbabwe for its efforts in combating malnutrition among children and urged other countries not to abandon development aid in the face of global financial pressures.
“I challenge anyone who takes joy in cutting international development to visit the malnutrition ward here,” he said. “Tell the parents that this is a budgetary measure that there are other priorities. This is an investment, not an expense.”
Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora welcomed the reaffirmed support from Ireland, noting it would enable Zimbabwe to maintain key health programs.
“Zimbabwe is among the top countries to achieve the 95-95-95 HIV targets. This has been made possible through collaboration with partners such as the Global Fund and the Government of Ireland,” he said.
“We’ve also reduced TB incidence by 20 percent. With continued support, we believe we can sustain this momentum.” Mombeshora further expressed optimism following recent assurances from both the Global Fund and the Irish government, stressing the importance of such partnerships in bolstering Zimbabwe’s healthcare delivery systems.
Ireland’s continued investment comes at a critical time, as many developing nations grapple with shrinking foreign aid and growing public health needs. Richmond reaffirmed that Ireland would remain steadfast, morally and financially, in supporting its global partners.
“We will be there every step of the way,” he concluded. “Where there are challenges, there are opportunities and we must rise to meet them.” New Zianaobal reductions in development aid, Ireland has reiterated its unwavering commitment to international assistance, particularly in health and humanitarian support for countries like Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the commissioning of a state-of-the-art incinerator at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital on Monday, Irish Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Neale Richmond emphasized that Ireland would not follow the international trend of cutting aid budgets.
His remarks come in light of increasing aid cuts by major donors, including the United States, which led to a rollback of international development funding during the Trump administration. “We are absolutely committed to the multilateral process and the work of the United Nations and its agencies,” Richmond stated.
“While far too many countries are turning their backs on international development, Ireland has not cut its international development budget.” Ireland has maintained a long-standing relationship with Zimbabwe, dating back to the era of Irish missionaries.
Since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, Ireland has invested over USD$250 million in the country’s development and humanitarian initiatives. Of that, USD$33 million has been allocated to Zimbabwe’s health sector since 2015.
Highlighting Ireland’s role in global health financing, Richmond noted that Ireland has contributed USD$400 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and pledged that this support would continue.
“Ireland, of course, is a founding member of the Global Fund,” he said. “We look forward to making our annual contribution later this year. That commitment will continue not just to the work of the Global Fund, but to many important partners working here in Zimbabwe.”
During a visit to Sally Mugabe Children’s Hospital, Richmond praised Zimbabwe for its efforts in combating malnutrition among children and urged other countries not to abandon development aid in the face of global financial pressures.
“I challenge anyone who takes joy in cutting international development to visit the malnutrition ward here,” he said. “Tell the parents that this is a budgetary measure that there are other priorities. This is an investment, not an expense.”
Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora welcomed the reaffirmed support from Ireland, noting it would enable Zimbabwe to maintain key health programs.
“Zimbabwe is among the top countries to achieve the 95-95-95 HIV targets. This has been made possible through collaboration with partners such as the Global Fund and the Government of Ireland,” he said.
“We’ve also reduced TB incidence by 20 percent. With continued support, we believe we can sustain this momentum.” Mombeshora further expressed optimism following recent assurances from both the Global Fund and the Irish government, stressing the importance of such partnerships in bolstering Zimbabwe’s healthcare delivery systems.
Ireland’s continued investment comes at a critical time, as many developing nations grapple with shrinking foreign aid and growing public health needs.
Richmond reaffirmed that Ireland would remain steadfast, morally and financially, in supporting its global partners. “We will be there every step of the way,” he concluded. “Where there are challenges, there are opportunities and we must rise to meet them.”
New Ziana
