GENEVA — A dire warning from UNAIDS on Friday projected that the suspension of U.S. foreign aid programs could result in 6.3 million potential AIDS-related deaths over the next four years, highlighting the critical global impact of the funding freeze.
Christine Stegling, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, told reporters that the disruption threatens the treatment of millions of HIV-positive individuals worldwide. Currently, 20 million of the estimated 30 million people living with HIV depend on U.S. assistance for treatment.
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which finances approximately 70% of the global AIDS response, faces potential reauthorization challenges. Without alternative funding sources, Stegling warned of a staggering 400% increase in AIDS-related mortality between 2025 and 2029.
The funding suspension’s most immediate consequences will be felt in community health systems. In Ethiopia alone, 5,000 public health worker contracts funded by U.S. assistance have already been terminated, demonstrating the program’s extensive reach.
“We are seeing significant confusion and disruption in treatment service delivery,” Stegling emphasized, underscoring the urgency of finding alternative funding mechanisms to prevent a potential humanitarian crisis.
The report serves as a critical reminder of the intricate global health infrastructure and the potentially devastating consequences of sudden aid withdrawals.
