In a climate of growing alarm over cuts in US funding for global humanitarian aid, Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, has issued a strong warning about the potentially deadly consequences of this situation. During a recent presentation in Geneva, Byanyima estimated that without the reinstatement of financial support, around 6.3 million people could die in the next four years due to HIV/AIDS. The situation is seen as a possible return to the mortality levels of the 1990s and 2000s, with a forecast of a staggering “tenfold increase” compared to the 600,000 deaths recorded in 2023.
In addition to that tragic projection, an increase of 8.7 million new infections is anticipated, contrasting sharply with the 1.3 million new cases counted the previous year. This harsh reality is exacerbated by the recent freezing of funds by the US government, which was expected to review its policy over the next month. However, Byanyima expressed disagreement with the lack of commitment from other countries to fill the financial void left by the US.
Defunding has had devastating effects, leading to the closure of numerous care centers that are crucial for the supply of antiretroviral drugs. This has resulted in a significant deterioration in healthcare in nations with the highest HIV burden, especially in certain regions of Africa, where over 60% of new infections among young people affect women. The impact of the sudden withdrawal of funds is palpable, with mass layoffs of healthcare staff directly impacting patient care.
Susan Kasedde, UNAIDS director in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has expressed concern about the uncertainty surrounding the extent of cuts to the PEPFAR program, which has been crucial for HIV prevention and treatment since its establishment in 2003. In this country, approximately 520,000 people are living with HIV, and fears of reduced funding threaten vital treatments for these patients.
Globally, various UN agencies have warned of the devastating effects of cuts in humanitarian aid, especially in vulnerable communities. UNHCR and IOM have reported that thousands of people have been deprived of basic assistance, while UNICEF has warned that the lack of funding poses a serious risk to progress in reducing infant mortality.
Byanyima has issued an urgent call to reconsider the cuts and restore life-saving essential services. She emphasized that the abrupt withdrawal of assistance has had a devastating impact, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. She also urged the US President to draw inspiration from previous initiatives, such as PEPFAR, to develop new solutions in the fight against HIV. UNAIDS estimates that there are currently around 40 million people living with HIV worldwide, underscoring the urgent need to continue prevention and treatment efforts to avoid significant setbacks in the fight against this disease.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
