The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for continued funding of global HIV programmes following the recent decision by US President Donald Trump to freeze foreign aid, a move that threatens treatment and testing for millions worldwide.

The funding suspension puts at risk access to HIV diagnostics, medicines, and treatment in low- and middle-income countries, according to WHO officials. The organisation warned that halting these programmes could lead to severe health consequences, particularly in regions heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Dire Consequences of Funding Cuts

“A funding halt for HIV programmes can put people living with HIV at immediate increased risk of illness and death and undermine efforts to prevent transmission in communities and countries,” the WHO said in a statement.

Health officials fear that an extended pause on foreign assistance could undo decades of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, potentially returning the world to conditions seen in the 1980s and 1990s when millions died annually due to lack of treatment.

As of 2023, nearly 39.9 million people worldwide were living with HIV, with two-thirds residing in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite a significant reduction in AIDS-related deaths—from 2.1 million in 2004 to 630,000 in 2023—the disease remains a leading global health crisis.

Impact on PEPFAR and Global HIV Efforts

The most affected programme by the funding freeze is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has been instrumental in saving more than 26 million lives since its launch in 2003 under then-President George W. Bush.

In 2024, PEPFAR provided antiviral HIV treatment to 20.6 million people across 55 countries. The programme also initiated 2.5 million individuals on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a preventive measure against HIV infection, and facilitated testing for 83.8 million people.

Beyond direct patient care, PEPFAR supports 342,000 health workers worldwide whose jobs are now in jeopardy due to the funding suspension. The freeze also affects additional US-backed foreign aid initiatives that collectively provide HIV treatment to 30 million people.

US Pullback from Global Health Leadership

President Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid for health initiatives marks another step in scaling back US global health commitments. In addition to pausing PEPFAR funding, he has initiated the process of withdrawing the US from the WHO and reinstated the Mexico City Policy, which restricts US funding to foreign organisations that provide abortion-related services or information.

Trump has cited dissatisfaction with the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns over the disproportionate US financial contributions to the organisation as reasons for these decisions.

Calls for Exemptions and Humanitarian Waivers

WHO officials have been working with nations benefiting from PEPFAR to develop long-term strategies for reducing dependency on US aid by 2030. However, the abrupt funding halt threatens to derail these efforts, putting millions of lives at risk, according to the organisation.

The WHO is advocating for exemptions to allow the continued delivery of essential HIV treatment and care. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly granted a humanitarian waiver to maintain critical health services impacted by the freeze. According to The Washington Post, the waiver covers “core lifesaving medicine, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance.”

However, it remains unclear whether the exemption will apply to PEPFAR, leaving the future of millions of HIV patients in uncertainty. Global health advocates continue to urge the US government to reinstate funding for these essential programmes to prevent a major health crisis.

Paris recently hosted its inaugural competition for “the best mocktail,” an event designed to support Dry January, the global initiative that encourages individuals to abstain from alcohol for the first month of the year. The event, held at Paris City Hall, saw three young trainees compete in front of a ten-person jury, showcasing their creative non-alcoholic beverages.

The top prize went to Hyppolite Damon, a student from the French hospitality school EPMT, who crafted a mocktail featuring carrot, honey, lemon syrup, and smoked rosemary. “This is almost a detox juice, and everything is homemade,” Damon said after winning the competition. Additionally, three Parisian nightclubs presented their latest non-alcoholic creations in a bid to impress the jury and highlight alternative beverage options.

Anne-Claire Boux, the deputy mayor of Paris in charge of public health, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about alcohol-related health risks. “Alcohol is a real public health issue, responsible for 49,000 deaths in 2023 alone,” Boux told Euronews Health. She also highlighted alcohol’s role in road accidents and incidents of sexist and sexual violence.

The event aimed to demonstrate that festivities can be just as enjoyable without alcohol. “It’s important to show that alternatives exist and that they can be just as pleasurable,” Boux added. Despite the city’s backing of Dry January, the French government has not officially supported the initiative, which was first launched in the UK in 2013. Public Health England has endorsed the campaign since 2015, while in France, NGOs have criticized the influence of alcohol industry lobbying on political decisions.

Bernard Basset, a doctor and the president of Addiction France, praised the competition as a significant step forward. “The French government initially opposed Dry January, but seeing this event take place at Paris’ largest town hall is a great symbolic gesture,” he said.

Alcohol consumption remains a pressing concern in France. According to the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS), one in twelve EU citizens over the age of 15 drank alcohol daily in 2019. France reported higher daily and weekly drinking rates compared to the European average, with only 23% of the population abstaining from alcohol in the past year.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has linked alcohol consumption to severe health risks, including liver disease, heart disease, various cancers, and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Dr. Basset stressed the long-term benefits of participating in Dry January, stating, “Studies show that when people take a break from drinking in January, they tend to consume less alcohol in the months and years that follow—and drinking less is better for your health.”

As Paris takes the lead in promoting alcohol-free alternatives, the success of this competition may signal a broader shift in attitudes towards drinking culture and public health initiatives in France.