The potential impact of cuts to U.S. aid for HIV/AIDS relief is alarming. PEPFAR, which provided $4.3 billion in 2025, has been pivotal in addressing the epidemic across more than 50 countries. However, its recent suspension could lead to an estimated four million additional deaths and six million new infections by 2029. Progress has been made since 1996, with 26.9 million deaths averted and 77% of those living with HIV receiving treatment as of 2024. Despite these advancements, significant disparities remain, particularly among women and girls, who represented 45% of new infections that year, a figure that rises to 63% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Countries heavily reliant on U.S. funding are particularly vulnerable. For instance, Nigeria saw a drastic decline in PrEP access, while Kenya experienced fluctuations in infant HIV testing. UNAIDS has raised concerns that cuts in donor funding will undermine the substantial progress achieved in combating HIV, especially in nations already burdened by economic challenges.
Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, warns that the current trajectory could regress efforts against AIDS by as much as two decades. The global fight against this epidemic is at a critical juncture, with the risk of reversing hard-won gains becoming increasingly real. The international community must rally to fill the funding gaps to ensure that the battle against HIV/AIDS continues to move forward, rather than backward.
