The head of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, has warned that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend U.S. overseas funding could lead to millions of additional deaths from AIDS, especially in developing countries.
The United States is the largest provider of global health aid, with much of its funding channeled through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). However, upon returning to office in January, Trump froze most foreign assistance for 90 days, causing major disruptions in international humanitarian programs.
Among the affected programs is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which supports over 20 million HIV patients and employs 270,000 health workers worldwide. Although the administration later issued waivers for medications, Byanyima stressed that many health facilities in Africa had already closed, leaving millions vulnerable.
Alarming Projections for HIV/AIDS Crisis
Byanyima cited UNAIDS estimates, warning that:
- AIDS-related deaths could increase tenfold, reaching 6.3 million additional deaths within five years.
- New HIV infections could rise by up to 8.7 million in the same period.
Speaking at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Byanyima urged African leaders to transition from foreign aid to domestic revenue for healthcare funding. However, she noted that many African countries are already crippled by debt, with some nations devoting over 50% of their revenue collections to debt repayment.
She emphasized the need for comprehensive debt restructuring to allow countries to allocate more resources toward healthcare and education.
Impact of USAID Funding Suspension
Founded in 1961, USAID manages an annual budget of over $40 billion, funding development, health, and humanitarian programs worldwide. The suspension of foreign aid under Trump’s order has already left many organizations scrambling to mitigate the impact, especially in low-income nationsthat rely heavily on U.S. assistance for public health initiatives.
Byanyima urged global leaders and humanitarian organizations to take urgent action to prevent a catastrophic rise in HIV/AIDS cases and ensure continued support for those in need.
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