The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has suspended HIV funding and treatment programs that support Nigeria and several other developing countries.
The U.S. State Department announced that financial aid provided through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been paused for at least 90 days.
However, emergency humanitarian assistance and military aid to Israel and Egypt remain unaffected by the decision.
Addressing the suspension, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated: “The United States will no longer distribute funds blindly without ensuring a return for the American people.”
The decision has caused concern within the global health community, as PEPFAR, originally introduced in 2003 by former U.S. President George W. Bush, has played a crucial role in preventing HIV/AIDS, saving lives, and reducing the virus’s spread.
With an annual budget of $6.5 billion, PEPFAR provides treatment to over 20.6 million people worldwide.
However, this funding was halted following President Trump’s executive order on foreign aid issued on January 20, 2025.