UK aid cuts risk a new AIDS emergency and threaten global health security

“UK aid helped turn the tide on the global AIDS crisis, but this short-sighted move risks ushering in a new AIDS emergency, coming a month after a US government aid freeze that is already causing catastrophic harm,” said John Plastow, Frontline AIDS Executive Director.

Now more than ever, we need courageous leadership from the UK to help sustain a strong global response to HIV and other pandemicsJohn Plastow, Executive Director, Frontline AIDS

Just last week, the UK and South Africa announced that they would co-host the upcoming replenishment of the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria, which invests US$5 billion a year to defeat the three diseases. Frontline AIDS is deeply concerned about how the aid cuts might affect UK commitment to a successful replenishment, at what the organisation believes is a life and death moment for the HIV response.

“Now more than ever, we need courageous leadership from the UK to help sustain a strong global response to HIV and other pandemics,” John Plastow added. “When the UK invests in health services in countries facing the brunt of pandemics, it not only saves lives, but is also supporting global health security, consolidating the UK’s international influence and helping to keep the world safe in a way that weapons and armed forces cannot.”