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Global HIV Battle in Peril as U.S. Stops Critical Aid, UN Warns

The head of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, has warned that deep U.S. funding cuts to global HIV programs could result in 6.3 million deaths and 8.7 million new infections over the next four years, reversing decades of progress.

Byanyima said the funding freeze, imposed in January, has already forced clinics to close, health workers to be laid off, and drop-in centers to halt services, particularly in Africa, where 60% of new infections affect young women and girls.

Several other UN agencies, including UNHCR, IOM, and UNICEF,  which are heavily reliant on U.S. funding, have also warned that the cut in support - in addition to chronic under-investment in humanitarian work globally - is already having a serious impact on the communities they serve. Byanyima urged the U.S. to restore funding, warning that abrupt cuts would cause a resurgence of AIDS deaths akin to the 1990s crisis.

InFocus

Daniel Msirikale/UNAIDS

A patient in Tanzania receives antiretroviral medication to treat HIV.

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