The United States has ended its partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a key organization in the global fight against AIDS, raising serious concerns about the continuity of vital HIV services worldwide. This follows the U.S. government’s decision to freeze all foreign aid for 90 days as part of a review of its foreign assistance policy.
On January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign Aid,” which directed a temporary halt to all foreign assistance. UNAIDS, as a recipient of U.S. aid, suspended its contracts and operations in accordance with the directive. However, on February 27, 2025, UNAIDS was notified by USAID that the agreement would be terminated with immediate effect.
UNAIDS has expressed alarm over the immediate impact of this decision, particularly on HIV-related services. The disruption has affected HIV testing, treatment, and prevention efforts in many countries. In a report, UNAIDS stated that 52 nations have already seen setbacks in their HIV response due to the U.S. aid freeze. Nigeria, in particular, relies heavily on U.S. funding, with 47% of its HIV treatment resources coming from the U.S., and 94% from international donors.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms about the potential global consequences of halting HIV funding, warning that it could lead to an increase in new infections and deaths, reversing decades of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The freeze also threatens critical care and treatment for millions of people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
UNAIDS has formally requested more details from the U.S. government regarding the termination of its agreement, as the situation continues to unfold.
