The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS declared on Monday that the abrupt US foreign aid cut-off has triggered disastrous results.
According to Winnie Byanyima who serves as UNAIDS Executive Director the global AIDS pandemic will bounce back as more people will die because of lack of funding.
The United States maintained its position as the biggest caregiver of humanitarian aid during many past periods until President Donald Trump resumed his first term on January 20 by reducing foreign assistance.
Byanyima told reporters in Geneva:
It is reasonable for the United States to want to reduce its funding over time, but the sudden withdrawal of life-saving support is having a devastating impact. We urge for a reconsideration and an urgent restoration of services, life-saving services
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Dr. Heather Carter believes the next four years will lead to 6.3 million fatalities due to AIDS unless additional financial support is obtained.
According to her analysis, global AIDS-related deaths amounted to 600,000 registered cases during 2023 while her agency projected another 8.7 million new infections until 2027.
She added;
So you’re talking of a 10-fold increase. You’re talking of losing the gains that we have made over the last 25 years. It is very serious.
