Trump's HIV funding cuts cause severe devastation worldwide, 2026

The Trump HIV funding cuts have caused severe and devastating disruption globally, according to a new report. No part of the United States’ anti-HIV programme has escaped unscathed, despite pledges from the administration to protect life-saving care. The Pepfar Pulse report, presented at the 26th International Aids Conference in Rio de Janeiro, warns that changes in US policy risk reversing decades of progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

How the cuts have disrupted global HIV programs

The President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), credited with saving more than 26 million lives since 2003, works through partner organisations worldwide. These groups find at-risk individuals, offer testing, provide protection like condoms or medicines, and deliver treatment. However, under the Trump administration, many grants were abruptly withdrawn. More than half of Pepfar’s funding had been managed via USAID, the agency dissolved in July 2025. A waiver issued in February 2025 theoretically allowed life-saving treatment and prevention of mother-to-child transmission to continue, but the reality was starkly different.

“Disruption was incredibly widespread. No part of the programme really escaped unscathed – and that includes areas of the programme that this administration intended to protect,” said Elise Lankiewicz from Amfar, co-lead author of the report.

Clinics closed and staff laid off

Thousands of staff have been laid off, and many clinics have shut their doors. The ripple effects have been felt across testing, treatment, and prevention services. Organisations still in receipt of US funding have also been forced to change their operations to comply with Trump’s policies targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, reproductive rights, and gender-affirming care.

Comparison to previous global health funding

The scale of disruption from the Trump HIV funding cuts is unprecedented. Previous funding pauses under other administrations were short-lived and limited in scope. The current cuts have lasted months, with no clear resolution. The Pepfar Pulse report highlights that even if funding resumes, rebuilding trust and infrastructure will take years.

Key takeaways from the report

• The cuts have caused “severe and devastating” disruption to HIV programmes worldwide.
• More than 26 million lives saved by Pepfar are now at risk.
• Thousands of clinics closed and staff laid off, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Compliance with anti-DEI policies has forced organisations to alter essential services.
• The global fight against HIV/AIDS faces a major setback.

What this means for the future

The international community is now watching closely. Without restored funding, the gains made against HIV could be reversed, leading to increased infections and deaths. The report urges immediate action to protect the most vulnerable populations, including women, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

As the conference in Rio de Janeiro unfolds, advocates are calling for renewed commitment from global donors to fill the gap left by the US. The Trump HIV funding cuts serve as a stark reminder of how quickly progress can be undone by political decisions.

FAQ

For more detail, the full Pepfar Pulse report will be presented at the International Aids Conference. Stay informed about the ongoing impact of Trump HIV funding cuts and what you can do to support global health efforts.