In response to the 90-day freeze of USAID and PEPFAR funding, Aidsfonds launched the Emergency Fund for the HIV Response on the 14th of February 2025. This fund provided current and previous Aidsfonds and the Robert Carr Fund partners with funding to bridge the 90 day-pause and contribute to the continuation of lifesaving services. The overwhelming number of applications we received in the first days highlighted the urgent need for this support. On the 27th of February, the situation took a drastic turn when the U.S. Government decided to terminate nearly all contracts with USAID and PEPFAR funded organisations. This decision is devastating for the HIV response and changes the situation from starting as a short-term emergency to evolving into a long-term humanitarian crisis.
Given this new context, we had to make the difficult decision to close the Emergency Fund. After careful consideration, we concluded that re-opening the fund would not be feasible. This means the emergency fund will not take any new submissions.
We are deeply concerned about the continued interruption of essential HIV programmes because of the U.S. funding withdrawal and are actively seeking ways to mitigate the harm caused by this situation. We are committed to finding ways to support people living with HIV and those affected by HIV within our capacity. To do so, we are closely monitoring developments and the needs of our communities to inform our response. We stand in solidarity with all those impacted by the funding loss and will continue to advocate for the prioritisation of funding for people living with HIV and key populations.
Sidaction and Aidsfonds are pleased to jointly launch a 2 million euros call for scientific proposals for the year 2025, dedicated to accelerating advances in HIV cure research. This initiative aims to mobilise researchers from France, the Netherlands and African countries around this crucial issue for global health.
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The World is on the Brink of a Humanitarian Disaster. The Trump administration has decided to permanently cut 92% of all development aid provided through USAID with immediate effect. This is a catastrophe for global health, security, and stability and will cost millions of lives. Estimates suggest that this decision alone will result in 8.7 million new HIV infections and 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths. Additionally, millions more will die due to a lack of food, clean drinking water, and life-saving medical care. Previously, the U.S. had announced a 90-day review period to evaluate all aid programmes. However, the decision to halt aid immediately comes much sooner than expected. The U.S. government states that over 90% of aid programs are "not in line with the America First policy" and is cutting $60 billion per year in humanitarian aid. This comes at a time when millions of people worldwide rely on this support for survival. "This is a humanitarian disaster that will cause millions of deaths. Even the most life-saving programmes, such as the distribution of HIV medication, have now been stopped. We therefore urgently call on Minister Veldkamp to meet with his European colleagues to take immediate action. If Europe does not act now, the consequences will be irreversible," says Mark Vermeulen, director of Aidsfonds. The decision comes shortly after a U.S. court ordered the Trump administration to resume aid programmes payments. Instead of receiving the promised budget, aid organisations received a letter last night announcing that all USAID assistance has been immediately stopped.
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