The USAID Shutdown Puts Millions of African Lives at Risk
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Summary
Trump’s order to halt US overseas aid has seen many USAID-funded programmes in Nigeria and other African nations, specifically those working on HIV/AIDS treatment, shuttered.
Over 2 million Nigerians are living with HIV, many relying on receiving USAID-funded medicines to keep their viral load suppressed.
While the US issued an emergency waiver to exempt ‘life-saving’ humanitarian aid, there are fears that even with this, stockpiles of medicines may run out.
There are concerns that, come the end of the 90-day USAID freeze, future support for HIV programmes will be permanently withdrawn, impacting the ability to treat and prevent the virus.
A recent study found that while Nigerians with HIV are willing to pay for treatment, the cost of medications is a significant barrier.
The Nigerian government has this week approved funding to procure 150,000 HIV treatment kits, but this is considered a short-term solution.