The United States government has officially terminated its agreement with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), raising widespread concerns over the potential impact on global efforts to combat the epidemic. The decision, which UNAIDS confirmed in a statement on Friday, follows an executive order issued by the U.S. President on January 20, 2025, titled “Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign Aid.”
The directive mandated a 90-day suspension of all foreign aid as part of a broader reassessment of its alignment with U.S. foreign policy goals. In response, UNAIDS, as a recipient of U.S. funding, initially paused contracts and activities affected by the order. However, on February 27, 2025, the organization received official communication from the U.S. government, through USAID, confirming the immediate termination of its agreement.
UNAIDS described the decision as a major setback, warning that it could severely disrupt global HIV treatment and prevention programs. Millions of individuals living with or at risk of HIV, as well as civil society organizations and healthcare providers, are expected to feel the impact. The organization has since sought clarification from U.S. authorities on the scope of the decision and any potential alternatives.
Even before the official termination, the initial aid freeze had already resulted in disruptions to HIV response efforts across 52 countries, according to UNAIDS. The effects have been particularly pronounced in Nigeria, which relies heavily on U.S. support for its HIV/AIDS programs. Reports indicate that nearly 47% of Nigeria’s HIV-related funding comes directly from the U.S., with an additional 94% sourced from international donor contributions.
Recognizing the looming crisis, the Nigerian government recently approved $1.07 billion in funding for healthcare sector reforms and allocated ₦4.8 billion specifically for HIV treatment. Despite these efforts, concerns persist about whether domestic resources can adequately fill the funding gap. Nigeria has an estimated HIV prevalence rate of 1.4% among individuals aged 15 to 64, with approximately two million people living with the virus. Of this number, 1.6 million are currently receiving treatment, according to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also weighed in on the situation, warning that prolonged funding disruptions could undermine decades of progress in HIV prevention and treatment. WHO officials fear that a significant rollback of resources might lead to an increase in new infections and HIV-related deaths, potentially mirroring the crisis levels seen in the 1980s and 1990s.
The U.S. government has indicated that further details regarding the decision will be released in due course. However, as global health experts and policymakers react to the development, the long-term implications for HIV/AIDS programs worldwide remain uncertain. Many fear that without urgent intervention and alternative funding sources, the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS could be significantly reversed.
