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UNAIDS Sounds Alarm As US Funding Pause Threatens Global HIV/AIDS Efforts

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Geneva, Switzerland – The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has issued a strong warning about the potential devastation of a temporary US funding pause for foreign aid on global HIV/AIDS programmes.

While welcoming a temporary waiver that will allow 55 countries to continue receiving life-saving treatment, UNAIDS emphasised the critical need for ongoing support to avoid catastrophic setbacks in the pandemic response.

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Over 20 million people worldwide, or two-thirds of those receiving HIV treatment, rely on funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The temporary reprieve, secured through a “Emergency Humanitarian Waiver” by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, only provides short-term relief.

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The waiver’s effect is limited to a review period for all US foreign development assistance; the future of HIV funding is uncertain.

UNAIDS emphasised the critical role that PEPFAR plays, citing its provision of over 83.8 million HIV tests, 2.3 million HIV prevention services for adolescent girls and young women, and assistance to 6.6 million orphans and vulnerable children last year.

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The organisation expressed deep concern about reports that many PEPFAR-funded organisations are already planning to close due to funding uncertainty.

The impact is already felt on the ground. Flavia Kyomukama, Executive Director of the National Forum of People Living with HIV Network Uganda (NAFOPHANU), described the situation as a shattered hope, with clinic closures already announced.

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Zimbabwe’s umbrella network of people living with HIV (ZNNP+) expressed similar concerns, citing limited access to essential services and a loss of community trust.

Anele Yawa, General Secretary of South Africa’s Treatment Action Campaign, has warned of a reversal of HIV progress.

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UNAIDS emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that 1.3 million new HIV infections occur each year worldwide, with young women and girls in Africa facing alarmingly high risks.

The organisation stressed the importance of ongoing testing for pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

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While UNAIDS acknowledged the waiver as a positive step, it emphasised the importance of continuing to provide all essential HIV services, particularly to marginalised groups.

The organisation called for a robust and long-term response, urging the United States to maintain its leadership and accelerate efforts to eradicate AIDS by 2030.

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UNAIDS has pledged to closely monitor the situation and provide regular updates on the impact of the funding pause.

The future of millions of lives, which are already dealing with the HIV/AIDS pandemic, is now precariously balanced.

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