In a worrying development, Zimbabwe's hard-fought gains against malaria are now under threat due to significant cuts in foreign aid. This reversal of progress highlights the delicate balance between international support and public health outcomes, particularly in regions where diseases like malaria remain a leading cause of death among children.
The Impact of Aid Cuts
The numbers speak for themselves. As of mid-April 2026, Zimbabwe had recorded over 65,000 malaria cases, nearly double the number from the same period in 2025. Deaths have also surged, with 174 lives lost so far this year, compared to just 34 during the same period in 2024 before the aid cuts.
These cuts have had a devastating impact on Zimbabwe's largest malaria program, the Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria (ZAPIM). The premature ending of the program's second phase has led to critical shortages of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, delays in vector control operations, and a weakened disease surveillance system. With heavy rainfall and fluctuating weather patterns, the conditions are ripe for a malaria resurgence.
A Success Story in Jeopardy
Zimbabwe's recent history with malaria is a testament to the power of sustained international investment and collaboration. In 2024, the country made the greatest gains in malaria reduction globally, reducing cases by an impressive 76.6%. This success was attributed to the Zimbabwe Assistance Program in Malaria and other international partnerships, which helped create malaria-free areas, with over one-fifth of Zimbabwe's population living in these regions by 2023.
However, the aid cuts of 2025 have reversed this progress. Bhekimpilo Khanye, Save the Children's Country Director for Zimbabwe and Malawi, explains that the work towards eliminating malaria was focused on certain regions, and once the parasite numbers started to decrease, it had a positive knock-on effect. But when this work stops, the opposite happens, and we see a rapid increase in cases, as we are witnessing now.
The Way Forward
Save the Children emphasizes that eliminating malaria is possible, but only with sustained commitment and long-term investment. The organization is calling on global donors and leaders to refocus their attention on this preventable disease, which continues to claim the lives of young children. As Khanye puts it, "We were making real progress, and now we've been set back. We need to bring numbers back down and save lives in Zimbabwe."
The organization is scaling up its emergency response in Zimbabwe, focusing on critical areas such as food security, health, nutrition, education, and child protection. With the right support and renewed commitment, Zimbabwe can once again become a success story in the global fight against malaria.
