US cut to South Africa's HIV response could cost lives, UNAids chief warns

The United States has withdrawn approximately $400 million in annual HIV and AIDS funding from South Africa through the President's Emergency Fund for Aids Relief (Pepfar), a decision that UNAids chief Winnie Byanyima warns will cost lives. While South Africa funds its own HIV medications, the US contribution supported vital prevention programs in a country with over eight million people living with HIV—the world's highest number. US officials justified the funding cut by citing South Africa's alleged failure to protect the white Afrikaner minority, claims that the South African government disputes and ties to disagreements over Black Economic Empowerment policies and Trump administration allegations about treatment of white South Africans.