Africa-Press – Liberia. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has warned that the world is at risk of a resurgence of the epidemic due to a nearly 20 percent decline in global funding last year.
Previously, the United States provided about 75 percent of international funding to combat the virus before the return of Donald Trump to the White House in January 2025. In that month, Trump ordered a temporary halt to all forms of funding related to the virus before resuming life-saving activities related to it days later, despite significant cuts to most prevention efforts.
Funding Shortfalls Threaten Gains
A report issued by the program, spanning 60 pages, at the start of an international AIDS conference in Brazil stated, “The international community has entered a period of severe political and financial turmoil that threatens decades of hard-won gains in combating the virus,” noting that “the world is at risk of a resurgence of the virus epidemic without renewed commitment and action.”
The report indicated that funding dropped by 18 percent to $7.3 billion in 2025, reaching its lowest level in nearly two decades. It warned that this threatens to reverse the progress that has led to the lowest number of new infections and AIDS-related deaths in over 30 years.
The program highlighted the current fragility of the response to the virus, explaining that it “puts these gains at risk unless global solidarity is restored and imbalances are addressed.”
The report also reiterated that the global goal of eliminating AIDS by 2030 “is off track,” pointing out that the decline in funding, along with other crises such as the Ebola virus, is hindering efforts.
UNAIDS estimated that approximately 570,000 people died from AIDS last year, while around 1.2 million people were infected with HIV during the same period.
Sub-Saharan Africa in the Spotlight
Increased local spending partially offset the impact of reduced foreign funding allocated to combat the virus, as the program noted that this resulted in an overall decline of six percent in total resources dedicated to fighting the virus last year.
National data from Cameroon, Nigeria, and Zambia showed a decrease of over 50 percent in the number of people receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis.
In conclusion, the UNAIDS report stated, “Disruptions in funding for combating the virus have severely impacted prevention, testing, and key components of treatment programs, such as community service groups reaching the most affected individuals.”
