US President Donald Trump has been accused of giving millions of people a death sentence due to his decision to dismantle the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The cuts have had a devastating impact on the fight against the global AIDS pandemic.
The Trump administration’s actions have led to significant funding reductions and staff layoffs, resulting in the collapse of vital services in developing countries. Peter Tatchell, a veteran LGBT+ and HIV campaigner, described the move as “self-defeating” and warned that it would reverse declining rates of HIV infection and death.
According to forecasts from the UNAIDS agency, the number of AIDS-related deaths could jump from six million to 10 million in the next five years unless funding is reinstated. The cuts have also projected a significant increase in AIDS orphans, with over three million more expected by the end of the decade.
Charities and politicians alike have expressed their disgust at Trump’s policy, with Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer reducing international aid to just 0.3 per cent of gross national income. Former Tory international development secretary Sir Andrew Mitchell described the decision as “a tragedy” and warned that it would put many projects in danger.
Oxfam GB chief executive Dr Halima Begum warned that cutting international aid would lead to a significant increase in infection and death rates, particularly among vulnerable populations. Médecins Sans Frontières also criticized the cuts, highlighting the impact on HIV patients reliant on antiretroviral therapy (ARV) and operations facing ARV shortages.
The Trump administration’s decision has sparked widespread criticism, with campaigners warning that it would lead to widespread suffering for people caught in crisis situations. The White House has yet to comment on the controversy.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-usaid-cuts-hiv-death-b2735703.html