On January 31, 2025, a TikTok user @chinedu_newspage, posted a commentary video saying that the U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the continuation of fundings for HIV pills and medications in some African countries. The user also claimed that the money from the fundings is 500 million dollars.
As of press time, this post has gained over 9,100 likes, about 370 comments and over 440 bookmarks and 361 shares.
VERIFICATION
Just a few days after the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, he signed an executive order to suspend all foreign aid and fundings done by the United States to various countries. This order affected several African countries that usually received these suspended fundings including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
However, NV-A’s search turned up new updates regarding the suspended fundings. On January 29, 2025, Premium Times reported that the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has granted an emergency humanitarian waiver that allows the PEPFAR to continue, providing lifesaving HIV medications to low income countries.
On the official website of UNAIDS, a press release was issued regarding the updates of the situation, they also updated that the emergency humanitarian waiver has indeed been signed and in place to help 55 countries across the world including African countries.
UNAIDS reported that more than 20 million people–two-thirds of all people living with HIV accessing HIV treatment globally–are directly supported by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
CONCLUSION
The claim that the Trump administration has announced a continuation of HIV fundings for African countries is TRUE. The emergency humanitarian waiver was signed by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
