The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has welcomed an emergency waiver issued by the U.S. Secretary of State, allowing the continuation of life-saving HIV treatment funded by the United States in 55 countries worldwide.
The waiver comes in response to a 90-day funding pause on foreign assistance, introduced by President Trump’s Executive Order, which initially halted funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—the world’s largest HIV/AIDS initiative.
PEPFAR directly supports more than 20 million people living with HIV, accounting for two-thirds of all individuals receiving HIV treatment globally. The waiver ensures that critical HIV medicines, medical services, and essential supplies remain available.
Welcoming the decision, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said:
“This urgent decision recognizes PEPFAR’s critical role in the AIDS response and restores hope to millions of people living with HIV who depend on this life-saving medication.”
UNAIDS reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted HIV treatment, as well as prevention, care, and support services for orphans and vulnerable children.
Before the waiver was announced, the World Health Organization (WHO) had warned of severe consequences if PEPFAR funding remained suspended. WHO expressed concerns that the pause could reverse decades of progress, potentially leading to a resurgence of new infections and deaths, similar to the 1980s and 1990s AIDS crisis.
“A prolonged pause could set back global HIV progress, endangering millions of lives,” WHO stated.
Since its establishment over 20 years ago, PEPFAR has been a cornerstone of the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The program, operating in over 50 countries, has saved over 26 million lives, provided HIV treatment to 20 million people, including 566,000 children under 15, and worked on sustainability plans with partner nations to transition towards greater country ownership by 2030.
WHO reiterated its commitment to supporting PEPFAR and ensuring a smooth transition for recipient countries. Any sudden and prolonged halt, it warned, could disrupt HIV treatment programs, threatening millions of lives.
With the waiver now in place, UNAIDS and global health partners will continue working to minimize disruptions and sustain progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
