The United States’ decision to halt foreign aid funding, including support for global HIV programs, could result in a drastic increase in infections and deaths, according to UNAids Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. She has warned that the cuts will lead to an additional 2,000 new HIV infections daily and over six million deaths over the next four years.

The move marks a significant setback in the global fight against HIV, which has seen remarkable progress over the past two decades. In 2004, more than two million people died from HIV-related illnesses. Thanks to international efforts and funding, that number dropped to 600,000 by 2023. However, Byanyima cautioned that these gains could be reversed if funding is not restored.

She stressed that the decision to pause US foreign aid was already having devastating consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and girls. Many HIV programs rely heavily on US funding, and without it, life-saving treatments and prevention efforts are at risk of being disrupted.

Byanyima called on the US government to reconsider its position and reinstate the funding immediately. She emphasized that the fight against HIV is far from over and that millions of lives hang in the balance.