International US funding cuts: millions more AIDS deaths feared
Without the frozen US funds for the fight against HIV, the UN program UNAIDS expects the number of new HIV infections to almost double every day.
24.03.2025, 16:28
24.03.2025, 16:30
SDA
Executive Director Winnie Byanyima expressed understanding for the fact that the USA wants to reduce its funding of aid projects around the world. Many governments in Africa were working hard to increase their own contributions to health care. But the sudden and abrupt withdrawal of the USA would have devastating consequences, she said. So far, there are no donors who have offered to step into the breach. According to her, the UNAIDS budget in 2024 amounted to around 220 million dollars, a good half of which was financed by the USA.
Due to the US cutbacks, thousands of infected people are no longer receiving medication. Without reliable care for those affected, the virus could spread again. According to UNAIDS calculations, 8.7 million additional infections and 6.3 million additional deaths are to be feared over the next four years without US funding.
Byanyima: Trump could make a good deal
Byanyima spoke of a good deal that US President Donald Trump could make: HIV infections would be prevented in many places today by a drug administered twice a year by the US company Gilead. If this substance continues to be supplied to all those at risk, the company could make huge profits, she said.
According to Byanyima, there were 1.3 million new infections and 600,000 deaths from AIDS complications worldwide in 2023. She appealed to the US government to resume funding as extensively as possible.
