Monrovia — President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has pledged $50,000 to support the National AIDS Commission's 2025 annual fundraising campaign, marking a renewed effort to boost domestic financing for Liberia's HIV response as international donor support continues to decline.
The president made the commitment over the weekend at the official launch of the campaign, held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town. The Commission is seeking to raise $250,000 this year to sustain HIV prevention, treatment, and advocacy programs across the country.
"This is not just a donation--it is a statement of commitment to our people," Boakai said. "More than 34,000 of our citizens are living with HIV. They deserve a government and a nation that will not leave them behind because donors have scaled down."
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The campaign is themed "Sustaining the National HIV Response Through Domestic Resource Mobilization" and brings renewed focus on local ownership of Liberia's public health efforts. The launch drew high-profile attendees, including lawmakers, development partners, civil society representatives, and private sector leaders.
Dr. Cecelia J. Nuta, chairperson of the National AIDS Commission, said it was time for Liberians to take charge of the HIV response.
"We cannot rely on external aid forever," Nuta said. "This effort is a step toward building national ownership of the HIV response. The support of our own people is essential to saving lives."
She noted that the Commission is tasked with providing policy direction, coordination, and oversight of the national HIV response--responsibilities that require stable and sustainable funding.
Commissioner for Partnership and Resource Mobilization Tracy Newon Pency-Kyne outlined how the funds would be used, pointing to key priorities including prevention, stigma reduction, public education, and treatment services.
"Liberia's response cannot be donor-driven forever," Pency-Kyne said. "We must begin to build resilience from within. Tonight, we begin that journey."
To help meet its fundraising goal, the Commission introduced a symbolic "Chair Purchase" initiative, encouraging participants to pledge contributions by buying seats at the dinner. Organizers said the approach aimed to creatively engage individuals and institutions in the fundraising process.
Liberia has made measurable progress in reducing HIV prevalence and expanding access to treatment, but officials warn that those gains are at risk without increased national investment. Persistent stigma, low testing rates, and limited awareness remain significant challenges.
The Commission described Boakai's pledge as a catalyst for broader commitments from government institutions, businesses, and Liberians in the diaspora.
Founded in 2010, the National AIDS Commission coordinates Liberia's HIV response and leads national advocacy, partnerships, and resource mobilization efforts.
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"As we look ahead to 2025, our focus is clear: no one left behind, no one forgotten," Nuta said. "We are building a Liberia where every life matters--where the response to HIV is Liberian-owned, Liberian-led, and Liberian-sustained."
The campaign is expected to continue throughout the year, with the Commission planning expanded outreach to secure additional support from both local and international partners.
