By Our Reporter
WORLD
The U.S government has terminated any funding to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, (UNAIDS).
This termination of the contract to fund UNAIDS was communicated to the Global Agency on 27th February, 2025 following an earlier freeze in what Donald Trump’s new administration called ‘Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign AID”.
The declaration ordered a 90-day freeze of all foreign aid pending a review of assistance efforts to ensure alignment with current U.S. foreign policy.
In a press statement issued by UNAIDS, it says as a recipient of U.S. foreign assistance, UNAIDS complied with the Executive Order and suspended contracts and activities under those awards.
“On 27 February 2025, UNAIDS received a letter from the U.S. Government/USAID stating they are terminating their agreement with UNAIDS with immediate effect,” reads UNAIDS statement in part.
Impact of recent U.S. decision on the global HIV response – The global impact of PEPFAR to date
For more than two decades, the United States Government has been a steadfast leader in the global HIV response through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and through its support to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
The importance of the United States contribution to the global HIV response cannot be overstated. Since its creation in 2003, PEPFAR has saved more than 26 million lives by investing in critical HIV prevention, treatment, care and support programs in 55 countries.
The United States Government has recently issued an immediate pause on U.S. foreign assistance for assessment of programmatic efficiencies and consistency with United States foreign policy. This pause has impacted PEPFAR’s ability to continue the programmes and services for millions of people living with and affected by HIV.
UNAIDS is responding to ongoing developments by mobilizing partners, governments, and communities to assess and mitigate the impact of the pause on the continuity of essential HIV services.
UNAIDS will continue efforts to ensure that during the ongoing pause, all people living with or affected by HIV who are directly affected continue to access life-saving services.
