UNAIDS Says US Aid Freeze Causing ‘A Lot Of Confusion’

UNAIDS has raised concerns over the impact of US foreign aid cuts, stating that the funding freeze is causing confusion and disrupting essential healthcare services, despite a waiver being placed on HIV/AIDS programs.

Christine Stegling, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS, highlighted the challenges during a press briefing in Geneva on Friday. She noted that community-level healthcare services, including the delivery of medication, transport services, and the work of community health workers, remain affected.

“There is a lot of confusion, especially on the community level. Community delivery of medication, transport services, and community health workers are still impacted,” Stegling said.

The funding freeze stems from a decision by US President Donald Trump, who, upon taking office on January 20, placed a 90-day hold on hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign aid donations. Days later, the US State Department issued a waiver for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the world’s leading HIV initiative, ensuring continued support for life-saving humanitarian assistance.

While UNAIDS welcomed the waiver, Stegling stressed that the broader effects of the aid suspension remain severe, particularly in countries heavily reliant on US funding.

“In Ethiopia, we have 5,000 public health worker contracts that are funded by US assistance, and all of these have been terminated,” she revealed.

The United States provides the majority of funding for UNAIDS, which operates in 70 countries and leads global efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The ongoing uncertainty over foreign aid has raised concerns about setbacks in global health initiatives and the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Melissa Enoch

Follow us on: