The implementation of a 90-day suspension on United States foreign aid, particularly towards the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), poses a significant threat to the health, welfare, and survival of key populations in the Asia-Pacific region. It is imperative to facilitate immediate and alternative funding measures.
In 2023, The Asia Pacific region is currently at 78-67-65 and expected to achieve the 95-95-95 targets by 2030. Although PrEP is included in the national guidelines of 20 countries, PrEP uptake remains below 10%. There are only 204,000 people who use PrEP at least once in 2023 – only 2.5% of the 8.2 million target users by 2025. The total HIV financing in the region is USD 3.3 Billion with 64% gap to meet the 2025 targets of 10-10-10 and 6 95s.
There are approximately 6.7 million people living with HIV in the region. Although antiretroviral coverage in other countries reach above 85%, the coverage in most of the countries in PEPFAR-supported countries remain under 80 which are Laos (74%), Nepal (69%), Philippines (27%), Indonesia (22%), Burma/Myanmar (21%).
The recent US Executive Order of President Trump which ordered spending freeze on almost all U.S. foreign aid will have immediate consequence to our community’s health and wellbeing. Due to this funding freeze, Asia-Pacific will not only struggle to meet the 95-95-95 targets but also risk reversing the progress made.
PEPFAR has funded the HIV prevention programs in Asia and the Pacific region, including the community support services programs. Without these interventions, the life and health of key populations in Asia-Pacific will be put at risk. The discontinuation of these interventions not only threatens access to vital services for prevention and treatment, but also deprives the community of essential support services provided by community-based organisations. The suspension of the fund will also result in the termination of employment for numerous dedicated community workers.
This is a call for an emergency alternative funding to mitigate the impact of the US Funding Freeze on essential services and community-led operations.
We strongly urge the National AIDS Programs, Ministries of Health, policy makers, and stakeholders to step in and take decisive action in seeking alternative sources of funding to sustain these critical programs.
We strongly urge that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), the Global Fund Communities, Rights and Gender (CRG) Department, the Global Fund Fund Portfolio Managers (FPM), and National Global Fund Principal Recipients (PRs) to promptly address the prevailing crisis within our communities and facilitate expeditious allocation of emergency funds
The well-being, survival and lives of individuals depend on your prompt responses.
