U.S. Approves Emergency Waiver for Global HIV Treatment.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has approved an "Emergency Humanitarian Waiver." This waiver will allow people in 55 countries to keep getting HIV treatment funded by the U.S.
The United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) directly supports over 20 million people living with HIV. That is two-thirds of all people with HIV receiving treatment worldwide. PEPFAR is the top HIV program in the world.
"UNAIDS welcomes this waiver from the U.S. government," said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. "It ensures that millions of people living with HIV can continue to receive life-saving HIV medication."
The U.S. Department of State recently announced a 90-day pause in funding for all foreign assistance, including PEPFAR. This was one of the new administration's first major foreign policy decisions.
The waiver approves the continuation of "life-saving humanitarian assistance." This applies to core life-saving medicine and medical services, including HIV treatment, and to supplies needed to deliver such assistance.
UNAIDS will keep working to ensure that all people living with or affected by HIV are served. It also wants to make sure that other key parts of PEPFAR's life-saving efforts continue. These include HIV prevention, care, and support for orphans and vulnerable children.
UNAIDS is working with partners, governments, and communities around the world to assess and reduce the impact of the pause on essential HIV services.
UNAIDS has encouraged President Donald J. Trump to prioritize the U.S. Government's leadership in the global HIV response. The goal is to end AIDS.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has approved an "Emergency Humanitarian Waiver." This waiver will allow people in 55 countries to keep getting HIV treatment funded by the U.S.
The United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) directly supports over 20 million people living with HIV. That is two-thirds of all people with HIV receiving treatment worldwide. PEPFAR is the top HIV program in the world.
"UNAIDS welcomes this waiver from the U.S. government," said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. "It ensures that millions of people living with HIV can continue to receive life-saving HIV medication."
The U.S. Department of State recently announced a 90-day pause in funding for all foreign assistance, including PEPFAR. This was one of the new administration's first major foreign policy decisions.
The waiver approves the continuation of "life-saving humanitarian assistance." This applies to core life-saving medicine and medical services, including HIV treatment, and to supplies needed to deliver such assistance.
UNAIDS will keep working to ensure that all people living with or affected by HIV are served. It also wants to make sure that other key parts of PEPFAR's life-saving efforts continue. These include HIV prevention, care, and support for orphans and vulnerable children.
UNAIDS is working with partners, governments, and communities around the world to assess and reduce the impact of the pause on essential HIV services.
UNAIDS has encouraged President Donald J. Trump to prioritize the U.S. Government's leadership in the global HIV response. The goal is to end AIDS.
