The United Nations AIDS agency (UNAIDS) has issued a warning regarding a potential surge in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths due to the freezing of US foreign aid, Al Jazeera reports.
According to the agency, the cessation of funding could result in 2,000 new HIV infections daily and a significant increase in AIDS-related deaths, potentially reaching millions in the coming years.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima informed reporters on Monday that the disruption to health funding is negatively impacting HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs. Byanyima stated that the withdrawal of US funding has led to clinic closures and health worker layoffs, which could lead to an increase in new infections.
She further warned that if funding from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) does not resume or is not replaced by another government at the end of the 90-day pause in April, an estimated 6.3 million additional AIDS deaths could occur over the next four years. These figures are based on UN modelling, according to Byanyima.
Recent data indicates that there were 600,000 AIDS-related deaths globally in 2023.
The US government, through President Donald Trump, placed a hold on almost all US foreign aid upon taking office. UNAIDS received $50 million in core funding from the US last year, representing 35 percent of the agency’s budget.
The Trump administration has stated that the funding freeze is to ensure alignment with the president’s “America First” policy. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that waivers have been provided for life-saving services, dismissing concerns of an end to foreign aid. The administration says it has saved US taxpayers billions of dollars through cost-cutting measures.
