UNAIDS urges U.S. to Lead Global HIV Response
By Mwila Nsofu
The United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS -UNAIDS- has welcomed the Emergency Humanitarian Waiver” from the US government to continue life-saving HIV treatment.
The waiver will ensure that millions of people living with HIV can continue to receive life-saving HIV medication during the assessment of US foreign development assistance.
More than 20 million people living with HIV, representing two-thirds of all people living with HIV receiving treatment globally, are directly supported by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief –PEPFAR- – the world’s leading HIV initiative.
In a statement, UNAIDS Executive Director, WINNIE BYANYIMA said this urgent decision recognizes PEPFAR’s critical role in the AIDS response and restores hope to people living with HIV.
United States Secretary of State, MARCO RUBIO, approved an “Emergency Humanitarian Waiver”, which will allow people to continue accessing HIV treatment funded by the US across 55 countries worldwide.
The US Department of State announced an immediate 90-day funding pause for all foreign assistance, including for funding and services supported by PEPFAR.
UNAIDS has since encouraged President DONALD TRUMP to prioritize the U.S. Government’s leadership in the global HIV response to achieve the shared goal of ending AIDS.
