The sudden cutoff of US foreign aid funding has sparked widespread concern, with the UNAIDS chief, Winnie Byanyima, warning of catastrophic consequences. The United States, historically the largest donor of humanitarian assistance, has significantly reduced international aid under President Donald Trump's administration.

Byanyima emphasized that while a gradual reduction in funding is understandable, the abrupt withdrawal of life-saving support is having a devastating impact. She urged for an immediate restoration of services, stressing that the consequences of inaction will be severe.

The numbers are staggering: without additional funding, UNAIDS predicts an additional 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths over the next four years, representing a 10-fold increase from the 600,000 deaths reported in 2023. Furthermore, the agency expects 8.7 million new infections, threatening to erase the progress made in combating the disease over the past 25 years.

The long-term implications are equally alarming, with the AIDS pandemic poised to resurge globally, affecting not only low-income countries in Africa but also vulnerable populations in Eastern Europe and Latin America. Byanyima cautioned that the disease will reclaim its deadly grip, echoing the devastating impact seen in the 1990s and 2000s.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2594674/world