Latest news with #FrontlineAIDS
Shafaq News
02-04-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
UNAIDS: HIV deaths to surge without US funding
Shafaq News/ Up to 6.3 million people could die from AIDS-related illnesses by 2027 if the United States fails to restore suspended humanitarian funding, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) warned. The funding freeze, announced by the White House on January 20 and currently under review, is already disrupting critical HIV services globally, especially in Africa, according to UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. Byanyima flagged collapsing clinic operations, depleted medical supplies, and mass layoffs of health workers, projecting as many as 8.7 million new HIV infections by 2027—sharply up from 1.3 million in 2023—if the suspension continues. She also urged President Donald Trump to reverse the decision, referencing former President George W. Bush's legacy in launching the US-funded PEPFAR initiative, stating, 'We urge for a reconsideration and an urgent restoration of services – life-saving services.' The executive director emphasized the absence of alternative donors stepping in to close the funding gap, warning that the consequences would be severe without immediate action. #VIH / #SIDA « Si l'aide américaine n'est pas rétablie et qu'aucun autre financement ne vient combler ce vide, alors, dans les quatre prochaines années, 6,3 millions de décès supplémentaires liés au sida sont à prévoir. » - @Winnie_Byanyima, Directrice exécutive d' #ONUSIDA — ONU Genève (@ONUGeneve) March 24, 2025 In eastern and southern Africa—regions accounting for over half of global HIV cases—young women and adolescent girls remain most at risk, representing over 60% of new infections. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where 520,000 people live with HIV, US support through PEPFAR was expected to provide treatment for at least 209,000 people in 2025. That $105 million allocation now hangs in the balance. Susan Kasedde, UNAIDS country director in the DRC, reported that hospitals are under strain, supply chains are faltering, and thousands could lose access to essential care. The funding freeze aligns with broader cuts to US humanitarian aid. UNHCR, IOM, and UNICEF have all reported major shortfalls, with refugee support, migrant assistance, and child survival services severely impacted in high-risk regions such as eastern DRC. Beyond Africa, the Middle East and North Africa face a rapidly growing HIV crisis. Frontline AIDS reported a 116% surge in cases since 2010, including a 600% increase in Egypt. The region received just 1% of global HIV funding in 2023 and operates on only 15% of the needed resources. 'The region risks being left behind,' said Golda Eid, programme lead at Frontline AIDS. 'There is still an opportunity to save lives and build a future free from AIDS, but the time to act is now.' Meanwhile, Mohammed El Khammas, head of international actions at the organization, warned that limited testing and persistent stigma are likely obscuring the full scale of the epidemic. Globally, UNAIDS estimates that 40 million people are living with HIV. In 2023 alone, 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. The agency called on governments and international donors to increase funding and adopt national strategies to combat stigma and discrimination.
Middle East Eye
02-04-2025
- Health
- Middle East Eye
Middle East and North Africa experiencing 'escalating HIV epidemic'
A new report has warned of an 'escalating HIV epidemic' in the Middle East and North Africa, with new infections surging amid forced displacement and ongoing conflicts in the region. Frontline AIDS, a global organisation, has analysed HIV prevention and response strategies in its Prevention and Accountability Report for the Middle East and North Africa, finding that across Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia cases have risen by 116 percent since 2010, compared to a 39 percent decrease in new infections globally over the same period. In Egypt alone, the report found that cases have jumped by 609 percent since 2010. The surge has occurred against a backdrop of instability in the region, including ongoing conflicts, forced displacement and humanitarian crises that undermine governance, damage public infrastructure and disrupt public health services. Marginalised groups, including homosexuals, transgender people, sex workers, people who inject drugs and prisoners, are disproportionately vulnerable to infection and face social stigma and restrictive laws that bar them from accessing HIV prevention and treatment services. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters According to Unicef, in 2022, only 67 percent of people aged 15 years and older with HIV knew they had been infected, while 50 percent were receiving treatment and 45 percent were able to reduce their viral loads to levels that no longer pose a threat to their health. Almost 20 percent of the new cases are among young people aged 15-24. The report found that the surge is further compounded by shortfalls in funding, with the Middle East and North Africa region receiving just one percent of global HIV funding in 2023 and operating with just 15 percent of funding required for an effective HIV response. The 85 percent funding gap, along with economic instability and soaring inflation, has severely impeded efforts to tackle the disease and curb infections. 'Left behind' While highlighting the importance of civil society in driving the HIV response, the report noted that shrinking civic space, restrictive laws and sparse resources across the region impedes its ability to act. Golda Eid, programmes lead at Frontline AIDS, said the region was 'being left behind' and warned that without urgent action and investment, the epidemic could 'escalate at an unprecedented rate'. 'Across the region, organisations are already driving change, often with limited resources. With stronger political leadership, increased funding, and a commitment to tackling stigma and discrimination, we can turn the tide. There is still an opportunity to save lives and build a future free from AIDS in the region, but the time to act is now,' Eid said in a statement. Mohammed El Khammas, head of international actions at Frontline, warned that the figures cited in the report are likely an underestimate. 'The 116 percent increase is linked to very limited testing coverage, and the size of the key affected population is not well known, which significantly reduces its coverage. Moreover, these populations suffer from stigma and discrimination. I am convinced that this percentage will be even more alarming in the coming years if the number of HIV tests increases,' he said. The report called for urgent increases in investment in HIV prevention by governments in the region and international donors, and the introduction of national strategies and measures to tackle stigma and discrimination.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
HIV cases more than double in Middle East and North Africa
Cases of HIV have more than doubled in the Middle East and North Africa over the last decade, new research shows. The number of new HIV infections in five countries – Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon – have risen by 116 per cent since 2010 and are expected to rise even further, according to a report from the charity Frontline Aids. Ongoing conflicts and displacement, which have placed people in the region more at risk of HIV infection, are partly to blame for the rise, the report's authors say. High levels of stigma in the region – including laws banning homosexuality – have also created barriers for vulnerable populations to access life-saving HIV prevention and treatments. At least 22,962 cases of HIV were recorded in 2023, compared to less than 11,000 cases in 2010. The rise bucks global trends, which have seen a 39 per cent decrease in new HIV infections over the same period. 'This is a crisis. The MENA region is being left behind. Without urgent investment and action, we could see the HIV epidemic escalating at an unprecedented rate,' said Golda Eid, Programmes Lead at Frontline AIDS. The report warns that limited political will and inadequate funding to tackle HIV in the MENA region are resulting in spiralling numbers of infections. 'I believe the actual numbers are much higher than those reported. The 116 per cent increase is linked to very limited testing coverage, and the size of the key affected population is not well known,' said Dr Mohammed El Khammas, Head of International Actions at Association for the Fight Against AIDS. Despite surging infections, in 2023 the MENA region received less than one per cent of global funding for HIV, which Frontline Aid says leaves an 85 per cent funding shortfall to provide effective HIV response. The report comes at the same time as experts have warned that US and UK aid cuts could trigger a huge resurgence in HIV cases, particularly in Africa, with up to 10.8 million more people expected to be infected globally by 2030 as critical HIV programmes are slashed. 'The current cuts to Pepfar and USAID-supported programmes have already disrupted access to essential HIV services, including for antiretroviral therapy and HIV prevention and testing,' said Dr Debra ten Brink, a scientist at Australia's Burnet Institute. 'Looking ahead, if other donor countries reduce funding, decades of progress to treat and prevent HIV could be unravelled.' Frontline Aids is now calling for stronger political leadership, increased funding programs, the destigmatisation of key populations, improved service delivery, and integration of HIV into general humanitarian response to reduce the surge in infections. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
01-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
HIV cases more than double in Middle East and North Africa
Cases of HIV have more than doubled in the Middle East and North Africa over the last decade, new research shows. The number of new HIV infections in five countries – Jordan, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon – have risen by 116 per cent since 2010 and are expected to rise even further, according to a report from the charity Frontline Aids. Ongoing conflicts and displacement, which have placed people in the region more at risk of HIV infection, are partly to blame for the rise, the report's authors say. High levels of stigma in the region – including laws banning homosexuality – have also created barriers for vulnerable populations to access life-saving HIV prevention and treatments. At least 22,962 cases of HIV were recorded in 2023, compared to less than 11,000 cases in 2010. The rise bucks global trends, which have seen a 39 per cent decrease in new HIV infections over the same period. 'This is a crisis. The MENA region is being left behind. Without urgent investment and action, we could see the HIV epidemic escalating at an unprecedented rate,' said Golda Eid, Programmes Lead at Frontline AIDS. Decades of progress could 'unravel' The report warns that limited political will and inadequate funding to tackle HIV in the MENA region are resulting in spiralling numbers of infections. 'I believe the actual numbers are much higher than those reported. The 116 per cent increase is linked to very limited testing coverage, and the size of the key affected population is not well known,' said Dr Mohammed El Khammas, Head of International Actions at Association for the Fight Against AIDS. Despite surging infections, in 2023 the MENA region received less than one per cent of global funding for HIV, which Frontline Aid says leaves an 85 per cent funding shortfall to provide effective HIV response. The report comes at the same time as experts have warned that US and UK aid cuts could trigger a huge resurgence in HIV cases, particularly in Africa, with up to 10.8 million more people expected to be infected globally by 2030 as critical HIV programmes are slashed. 'The current cuts to Pepfar and USAID-supported programmes have already disrupted access to essential HIV services, including for antiretroviral therapy and HIV prevention and testing,' said Dr Debra ten Brink, a scientist at Australia's Burnet Institute. 'Looking ahead, if other donor countries reduce funding, decades of progress to treat and prevent HIV could be unravelled.' Frontline Aids is now calling for stronger political leadership, increased funding programs, the destigmatisation of key populations, improved service delivery, and integration of HIV into general humanitarian response to reduce the surge in infections.
