Africa University has reopened its malaria program months after a U.S. executive order abruptly froze funding to the federal agency that provides aid and development help around the world, forcing the research center to suspend operations.
The United Methodist Church’s Board of Global Ministries is providing emergency funding for the Zimbabwe Entomological Support Program in Malaria and is committed to helping to sustain the program to ensure continuity in Zimbabwe’s fight against one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.
“This means the return of hope to millions in Zimbabwe — 70% of the population — at risk from deadly falciparum malaria,” said Sungano Mharakurwa, the program’s director. “Through our alliance with the Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Control Program, communities benefit from evidence-based control and elimination strategies that save lives.”
Global Ministries entered into a four-year partnership with the United Methodist university in June to support research and innovation in public health and agriculture.
The reopening of the program, called ZENTO, highlights the vulnerability of African health initiatives to foreign policy shifts and the critical role of faith-based partnerships in helping to fill the gap. When the Trump administration disassembled the United States Agency for International Development’s infrastructure and cut foreign aid earlier this year, ZENTO lost more than $900,000 in support and years of progress hung in jeopardy.
Funding Enables Program to Combat Current Outbreak
The program operates in seven districts across Manicaland and Mashonaland East provinces, including the high-burden Mutasa District in which Africa University is located. For communities there and across the country, ZENTO’s data informs frontline interventions that prevent infections and save lives.
The freeze on funding forced Africa University to cut staff, threatening its ability to maintain research labs and train the next generation of scientists.
The timing proved especially devastating. Heavy rains since the cut in funding created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes.
Mharakurwa said the developments have allowed malaria “to rebound with a vengeance and reverse considerable gains.” The renewed support from Global Ministries, he said, “restores real possibility to turn the tide against the devastating illness, mortality and economic impediment exacted by malaria on humanity in Zimbabwe and beyond, and to eventually eliminate the disease.”
Global Ministries’ emergency funding is enabling the program to reopen and continue its work while additional funding sources are pursued. The church’s intervention demonstrates both a commitment to Africa University and an ongoing role in global health partnerships.
Malaria still claims nearly 600,000 lives worldwide each year, most of them African children. For Zimbabwe, ZENTO’s work is critical to national elimination goals. For Africa University, the program reinforces its role as a pan-African institution of excellence, training the next generation of scientists and public health leaders.
Your Generous Support Helps Educate Africa
By supporting the Africa University Fund apportionment, you help provide financial support for the general operating expenses of Africa University. This university helps empower students from across the continent of Africa to give back to their individual countries on their return home. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the Africa University Fund at 100 percent.
excerpt from a story by Ben Smith, multimedia specialist for The United Methodist Church’s Holston Conference.
This story shows the impact of the Africa University Fund—one of seven apportionment funds of The United Methodist Church—to equip new generations of leaders for the African continent. Your church’s giving supports Africa University in Zimbabwe, where students from across Africa receive higher education rooted in faith, excellence, and service. Together, we help shape leaders who transform their nations and communities.
When your church supports the Africa University Fund, you empower students to become changemakers grounded in hope and faith.
