UN Report Warns Trump's Aid Freeze May Trigger Millions of AIDS Deaths
In January, Trump Ordered a Three-Month Halt on Major US Foreign Assistance
The suspension of US foreign aid funding by President Donald Trump could result in millions of additional AIDS-related deaths, warns UNAIDS, the United Nations’ AIDS program.
As the largest global provider of official development assistance, the United States channels a significant portion of its funds through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
In January, Trump implemented a three-month freeze on crucial foreign assistance, causing humanitarian organizations to scramble in response to the crisis.
UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, highlighted the dire consequences, stating that the aid suspension could have catastrophic impacts on global AIDS relief efforts.
Byanyima stressed that US funding is instrumental in combating AIDS worldwide. Without this support, there could be an alarming surge in fatalities. She specifically pointed out that the halt of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) could lead to a tenfold rise in AIDS-related deaths, potentially reaching 6.3 million over the next five years. Additionally, she warned of a possible increase in new HIV infections, which could soar to 8.7 million within the same period.
Although the US administration assured that life-saving treatments would be exempt from the freeze, healthcare workers in Africa reported that some treatment centers have already shut down due to financial shortfalls.
Speaking at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Byanyima urged African leaders to lessen their reliance on foreign aid by enhancing domestic revenue generation.
However, heavy debt burdens remain a significant challenge for many African nations, restricting their ability to fund essential healthcare initiatives. Byanyima emphasized the urgent need for debt restructuring to enable sustainable investments in crucial sectors like healthcare and education.
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