UNAIDS weekly update – Impact of US funding cuts on global HIV response

08 April 2025 — Low- and middle-income countries across the world continue to adapt to suspensions and terminations of United States support to their national AIDS responses.

In South Africa, for example, a coalition of civil society organizations published an open letter to the government expressing their concerns following the termination of many US-funded HIV projects and demanding transparency in the government’s response to the situation. The same day, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi expressed confidence that the country will achieve a new national target to put an additional 1.1 million people living with HIV on treatment. He also revealed that discussions are underway with BRICS countries on how to fill gaps left by cuts in PEPFAR funding. 

In Malawi, the Government’s 2025-26 budget has allocated 23.3 billion Malawian Kwacha (US$13.3 million) to the Ministry of Health and plans to hire 6,000 workers to mitigate the impact of the US funding cuts.

In the Philippines, the government announced that its next budget will include some expenditures previously supported by US funding.

Across all countries that received significant US funding for their AIDS programmes, grassroots organizations and community health workers that provide services to vulnerable and marginalized people have been deeply affected by US funding cuts. Among 70 UNAIDS Country Offices that have submitted data on the situation, 40% reported that community-led services had been stopped by the US funding cuts. By comparison, 30% reported that services by international NGOs had been stopped, and 3% reported that government services had been stopped.

Access the full weekly update here.

UNAIDS and partners provide a compilation of country updates on the impact of US funding cuts on the global HIV response (a living document). The latest updates by country can be accessed here.