A new report from HIV charity amfAR reveals that funding cuts by the Trump administration have severely disrupted HIV prevention and treatment across dozens of countries, forcing clinics to close and workers to lose their jobs. The findings underscore a broader retreat by wealthy nations from foreign aid commitments, with potentially catastrophic consequences for millions of people living with or at risk of HIV. Main Developments According to the amfAR report, released Tuesday, more than 1,700 clinics closed and over 16,000 workers lost their jobs after awards from PEPFAR—the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief—were delayed or cancelled. A survey of 166 organizations across 46 countries found that roughly three-quarters of them stopped serving people most at risk of HIV, including sex workers, transgender individuals, gay men, and people who inject drugs. Children were also hit hard: PEPFAR-supported treatment reached about 77,000 fewer children in 2025, a 14 percent drop. Elise Lankiewicz, amfAR’s policy associate and co-lead author, said disruption was “incredibly widespread,” affecting even areas the US administration had claimed it would protect. The US Department of State disputed the findings, telling The Associated Press that PEPFAR has grown “stronger” under clearer “strategic direction,” and pointed to one-quarter of 2025 data showing treatment held steady. Researchers countered that such a snapshot hides a larger decline visible only when a full year of data is combined. Read also: Heatwave-Fueled Wildfire Near Madrid Scorches 30,000 Hectares Background Launched by President George W. Bush in 2003, PEPFAR has been credited with saving more than 26 million lives worldwide. The program has long been a cornerstone of global HIV response, providing antiretroviral treatment, prevention services, and support for vulnerable populations. The United States is not alone in pulling back on funding: France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have also slashed foreign assistance, leaving humanitarian groups reeling. UNAIDS lost about 25 percent of its funding last year, according to executive director Winnie Byanyima, who spoke to AFP from the sidelines of the African Union health summit in Accra. Why It Matters Africa carries the highest HIV burden of any region, and the cuts threaten to reverse decades of progress. Byanyima called the situation “a moment of radical change,” urging Africa to quickly adapt its health systems to achieve “health sovereignty.” The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has warned that if the cuts become permanent, the world could see 6.6 million more HIV infections and 4.2 million more AIDS deaths by 2029. The closure of clinics and loss of staff not only disrupts treatment for those already infected but also undermines prevention efforts, potentially fueling new outbreaks. What's Next The amfAR report adds pressure on the Trump administration to clarify its long-term commitment to PEPFAR, though the State Department has so far defended its approach. With other wealthy nations also reducing aid, the burden increasingly falls on affected countries—particularly in Africa—to find domestic solutions. Byanyima called for a rapid overhaul of health systems, but the timeline remains uncertain. Researchers and advocates will be watching for full-year 2025 data to assess the true scale of the damage, while UNAIDS and other organizations scramble to fill funding gaps.