Millions of Lives at Stake: Trump Halts AIDS Funding
Last updated on: 10 February 2025
President Trump has immediately frozen funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for 90 days. PEPFAR is the U.S. programme dedicated to combating HIV and AIDS. “The United States will no longer blindly hand out money without it benefiting the American people,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. As a result, all development aid has been halted with immediate effect.
This decision plunges the global HIV and AIDS response into an unprecedented crisis. By suspending funding, access to life-saving medication for millions of people is at risk of being abruptly cut off, leading to new infections and deaths.
Mark Vermeulen, director of Aidsfonds, warned: “The situation is extremely serious. Trump has suspended all senior health officials at USAID, the U.S. development agency. No one is allowed to communicate with the World Health Organization. Clinics that have received funding for HIV medication are no longer permitted to distribute those medications to patients. This is destroying years of progress in the fight against HIV.”
Halting PEPFAR is a strategic blunder. COVID taught us that epidemics do not respect borders
Mark Vermeulen, Director Aidsfonds
PEPFAR accounts for $7.5 billion in annual investments in the global AIDS response. While many countries have been able to increase their own financial contributions in recent years, many nations—especially in Sub-Saharan Africa—remain heavily dependent on PEPFAR. Without this funding, local organisations will be forced to shut down their operations. Since its inception, PEPFAR has provided life-saving care to over 25 million people across 54 countries.
Vermeulen, currently in Washington where he attended the Funders Concerned About AIDS summit, is working with other organisations to raise awareness on the global impact of this crisis. “Halting PEPFAR is a strategic blunder,” Vermeulen stated. “COVID taught us that epidemics do not respect borders. If we don’t do everything possible now to ensure that everyone with HIV receives proper care and medication, the price will be far higher in the future – both in human lives and healthcare costs.”
Strong Political Commitment to Global Health and SRHR
Strong Political Commitment to Global Health and SRHR
On 20 April, the multi‑party initiative (MPI) for global health and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) was officially re-launched. During the event at Nieuwspoort, Members of Parliament, civil society organisations and experts discussed the importance of strong Dutch leadership on these themes. New research was also presented, highlighting the significant impact of Dutch investments in global health and SRHR. The launch marked an inspiring and promising start to this collaborative initiative.
The EU Steps Up for Global Health in Uncertain Times
The EU Steps Up for Global Health in Uncertain Times
Today, the European Commission announced its intention to pledge a total of €700 million overall for the 8th Global Fund’s replenishment, subject to the outcome of the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations.
At a time when budgets are under strain, priorities are competing, and the world feels increasingly unstable, stepping up for people affected by HIV, TB and malaria around the world is very welcome and a clear sign of the EU’s ambition to lead on global health. This commitment will help save millions of lives and keep everyone safer, including in Europe. It will support Africa’s ability to lead on its own health priorities, and build resilience in places under severe stress. This includes countries affected by war, such as Ukraine, where the continuity of HIV and TB services is critical not only for emergency response, but also for long-term recovery. With many donors cutting back on aid, the Commission’s renewed support for the Global Fund sends a much-needed signal of leadership and solidarity.
