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UNAIDS: Funding Crisis of AIDS Undermining Decades of Progress

UNAIDS: Funding Crisis of AIDS Undermining Decades of Progress
By: Michael Mike
UNAIDS has launched its 2025 Global AIDS Update, “AIDS, Crisis and the Power to Transform”, which shows that a historic funding crisis is threatening to unravel decades of progress unless countries can make radical shifts to HIV programming and funding.
The report launched on Wednesday highlights the impact that the sudden, large-scale funding cuts from international donors are having on countries most affected by HIV. Yet it also showcases some inspiring examples of resilience, with countries and communities stepping up in the face of adversity to protect the gains made and drive the HIV response forward.
Some 25 of the 60 low and middle-income countries included in the report have indicated increases in domestic budgets for their HIV responses in 2026. The estimated collective rise among the 25 countries amounts to 8% over current levels, translating to approximately USD 180 million in additional domestic resources. This is promising, but not sufficient to replace the scale of international funding in countries that are heavily reliant.
Despite marked progress in the HIV response in 2024, the weakening aid consensus and significant and abrupt funding shortfalls in the HIV response in 2025 have triggered widespread disruption across health systems and cuts to frontline health workers—halting HIV prevention programmes and jeopardizing HIV treatment services.
According to the report, in Mozambique alone, over 30 000 health personnel were affected. In Nigeria, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation has plummeted from 4000 to 6000 people per month. If US-supported HIV treatment and prevention services collapse entirely, UNAIDS estimates that an additional 6 million new HIV infections, and 4 million additional AIDS-related deaths could occur between 2025 and 2029.
“This is not just a funding gap—it’s a ticking time bomb,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. “We have seen services vanish overnight. Health workers have been sent home. And people—especially children and key populations—are being pushed out of care.”
Even before the large-scale service disruptions, the reported data for 2024 shows that 9.2 million people living with HIV were still not accessing life-saving treatment services last year. Among those were 620 000 children aged 0—14 years living with HIV but not on treatment which contributed to 75 000 AIDS-related deaths among children in 2024.
In 2024, 630 000 people died from AIDS-related causes, 61% of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Over 210 000 adolescent girls and young women aged 15—24 acquired HIV in 2024—an average of 570 new infections every day.
HIV prevention services are severely disrupted. Community-led services, which are vital to reaching marginalized populations, are being defunded at alarming rates. In early 2025, over 60% of women-led HIV organizations surveyed had lost funding or were forced to suspend services. The United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) reached 2.3 million adolescent girls and young women with comprehensive HIV prevention services in 2024 and enabled 2.5 million people to use HIV PrEP—many of these programmes have now stopped completely.
Meanwhile, the rise in punitive laws criminalizing same-sex relationships, gender identity, and drug use is amplifying the crisis, making HIV services inaccessible. Countries like Uganda, Mali and Trinidad and Tobago have recently increased legal penalties, pushing key populations further from care and dramatically raising their risk of acquiring HIV.
South Africa currently funds 77% of its AIDS response and its 2025 budget review includes a 5.9% annual increase in health expenditure over the next three years, including a 3.3% annual increase for HIV and tuberculosis programmes. The government intends to finance the development of a patient information system, a centralized chronic medicine dispensing and distribution system, and a facility medicine stock surveillance system.
As of December 2024, seven countries—Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Rwanda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—had achieved the 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those are on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment are virally suppressed. These successes must be maintained and further scaled up.
The report also highlights the emergence ofu unprecedented, highly effective new prevention tools like long-acting injectable PrEP, including Lenacapavir, which has shown near-complete efficacy in clinical trials—though affordability and access remain key challenges.
“There is still time to transform this crisis into an opportunity,” said Ms. Byanyima. “Countries are stepping up with domestic funding. Communities are showing what works. We now need global solidarity to match their courage and resilience.”
The 2025 Global AIDS Update urgently stated that the global HIV response cannot rely on domestic resources alone. The international community must come together to bridge the financing gap, support countries to close the remaining gaps in HIV prevention and treatment services, remove legal and social barriers, and empower communities to lead the way forward.
UNAIDS emphasized that every dollar invested in the HIV response not only saves lives but strengthens health systems and promotes broader development goals. Since the start of the epidemic, 26.9 million deaths have been averted through treatment, and 4.4 million children protected from HIV infection through vertical transmission prevention.
“In a time of crisis, the world must choose transformation over retreat,” said Ms Byanyima. “Together, we can still end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030—if we act with urgency, unity, and unwavering commitment.”
UNAIDS report is being launched ahead of the Scientific AIDS Conference IAS 2025
taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, from 13-17 July 2025.
UNAIDS: Funding Crisis of AIDS Undermining Decades of Progress
News
Rivalry between bandit kingpins Kachalla Alti and Haruna Hari claims three lives in Zamfara

Rivalry between bandit kingpins Kachalla Alti and Haruna Hari claims three lives in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
A brutal rivalry between two notorious bandit leaders has left three men dead following a violent clash in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the clash occurred on July 31 in Marbe village, Kwaren Ganuwa district, when gunmen loyal to Kachalla Alti, a notorious bandit commander, attacked the residence of his rival, Haruna Hari.
It was gathered the attack started at about 11:15 a.m., leading to the death of Hari and two of his lieutenants. The attackers also rustled a large number of cattle as well as the weapons of the slain bandit leader, before fleeing to an unknown location.
The incident was part of a long-standing rivalry between the two groups, who have clashed repeatedly over control of criminal routes and operations in the area.
“This isn’t the first time they’ve clashed, but this was the most brutal,” said a resident of Kwaren Ganuwa. “People in this area have lived under their shadow for years.”
Though no civilian casualties were reported,
The Intra-gang violence among armed groups in Zamfara has been on the rise in recent months, fuelled by competition over territory, weapons supply, and ransom collection.
killing of Haruna Hari may trigger more retaliatory attacks in the coming days, especially across Tsafe and Maradun axes where both men had strong influence.
Rivalry between bandit kingpins Kachalla Alti and Haruna Hari claims three lives in Zamfara
News
Soldier dies, two injured in Yobe auto crash involving army vehicle

Soldier dies, two injured in Yobe auto crash involving army vehicle
By: Zagazola Makama
A Nigerian Army personnel attached to Operation Hadin Kai has died and two others injured in a lone fatal motor accident involving a military operations vehicle along the Damaturu–Jos highway in Yobe State.
A sources who confirmed the incident to Zagazola Makama on Friday, report that the accident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on July 31, near Garri Tasha, in Damagum area of Fune Local Government Area.
It was gathered that military vehicle belonging to Sector 2 Headquarters, Damaturu, and was conveying officers on special duty to Jos when the driver lost control and plunged into a deep pit.
Emergency workers in Damagum responded swiftly to the scene, where they assisted in rescuing two soldiers who sustained serious injuries.
The injured were immediately rushed to Damagum General Hospital, while one of them, identified as Sgt. Salami Ahmed, was later referred to the Yobe State University Teaching Hospital, Damaturu, for further treatment.
However, a Private soldier was confirmed dead at the scene. His body was evacuated and handed over to his unit commander.
Soldier dies, two injured in Yobe auto crash involving army vehicle
News
Zulum Embarks on Resilient Tour of Gwoza

Zulum Embarks on Resilient Tour of Gwoza
…Pledges Swift Security Measures
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has assured that no community in Gwoza Local Government Area will fall into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents.
The governor also announced that Bita, which was recently displaced would be resettled tomorrow (Friday) back to their community.
Governor Zulum gave this assurance on Thursday during a visit to the Emir of Gwoza, His Royal Highness Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha Idrissa Timta, at his palace.
“Deliberate measures have been taken to protect Gwoza, Limankara and Bita. From now on, we will not allow any community to be displaced. Instead, more communities will be resettled,” Governor Zulum declared.
He added, “I have just visited Limankara and assured residents that steps have been taken to safeguard the town. We have provided the Civilian JTF with logistics to ensure the people are well protected.”

The governor informed the Emir that he would remain in the area until security situation stabilises.
The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha Idrissa Timta, expressed gratitude for Governor Zulum’s leadership and commitment to the security and welfare of the people.
He highlighted security as the most pressing challenge in the area and urged both federal and state governments to deploy additional troops and equipment to protect communities.

“Security is our major concern. We urge the military to launch a massive onslaught on the insurgents’ enclaves,” the Emir stated. “I appeal to the Federal and Borno State governments not to allow Gwoza fall.”
The Emir also condemned the actions of individuals undermining peace efforts and warned against the spread of fake news on social media. He commended the Brigade Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade and the Commanding Officer of 192 Battalion for their efforts in restoring peace.
…Zulum Pledges Swift Security Measures
Governor Zulum earlier visited Limankara, a community nine kilometres from Gwoza, to reinforce the resilience of residents. Addressing the people, he promised immediate government intervention to prevent displacement or insurgent attacks.
“I assure the people of Limankara that significant improvements in security will be seen within the next 24 hours. Given its strategic importance, we will not allow this town to be displaced,” Governor Zulum said.
“This town has never been displaced, even at the peak of Boko Haram insurgency. Why should we allow it now? Before I leave, I will engage with the military and Civilian JTF to ensure full security.”

Governor Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the member representing Gwoza at the State Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Buba Abatcha; Brigade Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General N. I. Abdullahi, Special Advisers, and other senior government officials.
Zulum Embarks on Resilient Tour of Gwoza
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