Topics

Countries affected by the migration crisis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, prompted by the war in Ukraine and other turmoil in the region, have had to put in place measures so that all displaced people have access to essential HIV services. 

 Key Figures: 

• In 2022, Europe was confronted by the largest refugee crisis since World War II. 
• As of February 2024, nearly one-third of Ukraine’s population remains displaced, with 6.3 million Ukrainian refugees globally, primarily concentrated in Europe, 62% of them are women. 
• In 2022, around one million Russian citizens emigrated, with many choosing prolonged stays abroad.
• Central Asian countries witnessed the biggest influx of international migrants since their independence.
• Up to 300,000 Belarusians left their country since May 2020.
• Migration from Central Asia to Russia surged in 2023, with notable increases in Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Tajik nationals entering for work purposes. (ICMPD Migration Outlook Eastern Europe and Central Asia 2024)
• The HIV epidemic is growing in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan accounting for 93% of new infections in the region combined. 

Surviving the devastating events of March 2022 in Mariupol, Ukraine, uncertain of what the future held, Svetlana fled her hometown.  

"Mariupol was a scene of utter destruction. I had a packed suitcase, but I left it behind, only taking with me a dog and a cat," recalls Svetlana. "With assistance, we managed to reach the Polish border, eventually finding refuge in Lithuania."  

Living with HIV since 2000, Svetlana relies on anti-retroviral treatment (ARV) to keep the virus at bay by taking a tablet a day. In haste, she had only taken one pill box. 

Upon her arrival in Lithuania, she connected with an online organization that within days helped her to obtain her life-saving medicine from a doctor.    

Svetlana is one of 70  participants in 6 countries in the Regional Expert Group on Migration and Health (REG) study that assessed the healthcare access for Ukrainian refugees using qualitative methods. According to Daniel Kashnitsky, the lead REG expert, “insights from specialists and service recipients revealed that all HIV-positive refugees had access to treatment across EU host countries.” 

After recovering from the initial shock, the European Union activated the Temporary Protection Directive, establishing legal guidelines for managing mass arrivals, offering humanitarian aid, and ensuring access to life-saving antiretroviral treatment and basic HIV services to those in need. 

Outside the EU, in countries like Moldova and Georgia, special regulations ensure free access to HIV services. Moldova's National AIDS Coordinator, Yuri Klimaszewski, underscored that Moldova provided HIV services to refugees like it does for its citizens. 

The study also revealed that some refugees struggled in host countries, leading to challenges maintaining treatment adherence. Tatyana (name changed) left Odessa along the Black Sea in April 2022. 

But she returned home because she could not find adequate support under the opioid maintenance therapy program in Poland. She found it complicated to reach the service point, the language barriers prevented her from communicating her needs with medical staff, and she lacked community support. 

“Despite the unprecedented support shown by European countries to Ukrainian refugees, systemic issues, particularly bureaucratic complexities, require proactive intervention by social workers, community organisations and volunteers to effectively address these challenges,” said Mr Kashnitsky. Additionally, he added, “there is a pressing need to tackle the stigma faced by people living with HIV and other key populations, such as people who use drugs.”  

Uladzimir, who left Belarus for Poland in the first days of the war in Ukraine, needed about a month to start receiving ARV treatment. First, he had to obtain "international protection", then confirm his HIV status and wait for an appointment with a doctor. But once all that was cleared, he had access to all the necessary services. For many accessing services is not as straightforward as it is for Ukrainian refugees, according to the REG study “Forced migrants with HIV status: social psychological and medical aspects of adaptation” 

Legislation in some countries makes accessing HIV prevention and treatment for migrants challenging. And in some cases, national healthcare systems may lack resources to meet the influx of people and their needs. 

As the Russian Federation continues to deport migrants living with HIV, those who remain in Russia due to the inability to return home or for family reasons are compelled to stay in the country illegally. They are deprived of HIV treatment and health services. Some have succeeded by receiving treatment remotely (ARVs sent to them with the help of countries of origin).

Recommended strategies, as outlined by the REG study, include improving the system of informing people about potential risks and available HIV services abroad, establishing health insurance protocols, and supporting community organizations that provide HIV services. 

Removing legal provisions that discriminate against migrants living with HIV will also reduce barriers to accessing antiretroviral therapy, resulting in significant improvements for public health in the region. 

Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia Pacific and EECA regions, praises the collaborative efforts involving various stakeholders, including governments of countries of origin and host countries, community organizations, the Joint UN Programme on AIDS, and donors.   

However, he says more needs to be done. “There is an urgent need to work on the legalization and standardization of such approaches to ensure all people on the move can access essential services and remain on treatment wherever they are.”

Debt restructuring and reforms to the global tax system are urgently required to finance health systems and other essential services

WASHINGTON/GENEVA, 16 April 2024—As financial leaders meet in Washington for the annual Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, UNAIDS is calling for increased and sustainable investments in the global response to HIV and other health threats.

“At a time of multiple geo-political and economic crises, the need to tackle the financial constraints threatening the global fight against HIV and other health threats has never been greater,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, “At their Spring Meetings in Washington, global financial leaders must find the courage to reject calls for more fiscal restraint and embrace measures that can release the necessary investments to save millions of people and transform the lives of the most vulnerable all over the world, including women and girls.”

As the world struggles to achieve many of the health goals set out in the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda, investments in the HIV response have returned extraordinary gains for humanity. Since 2010, AIDS-related deaths have declined by 51% worldwide and new HIV infections have fallen by 38%.

But more than 9 million people are still waiting to receive HIV medication that will stop them dying from AIDS and there were still 1.3 million new HIV infections in 2022. Increased investments in the HIV response today are crucial to reach everyone who needs treatment and to prevent new infections that will only increase future treatment costs.      

However, there is a huge shortfall in the global investments required to end AIDS as a global health threat by 2030. A total of US$ 20.8 billion (constant 2019 US$) was available for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries in 2022––2.6% less than in 2021 and well short of the US$ 29.3 billion needed by 2025.

In many countries with the most serious HIV pandemics, debt service is consuming increasingly large shares of government revenue and constraining public spending.

In Angola, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia, debt service obligations exceed 50% of government revenues. Last year, in GDP terms, Sierra Leone spent 15 times more on public debt servicing than on health, 7 times more on public debt servicing than on education and 37 times more on debt servicing than on social protection. For Angola, debt servicing was 7 times more than investments on health, 6 times more than on education and 14 times more than on social protection.

UNAIDS maintains that reform to the global financial system including the cancellation of debt, the introduction of fairer and affordable financing mechanisms and global taxation reform is key to releasing transformative funding for health, education and social protection also required to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

One year ago, on 15 April 2023, armed conflict broke out in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces. Since then, the situation has worsened. The hostilities, which were initially centred in Khartoum State, have intensified and rendered over half the country inaccessible.

The impact of this conflict has been devastating. Some 8.6 million Sudanese have been forced to flee their homes, 6.8 million are displaced with in the country and 1.8 million have sought refuge in neighbouring countries – Chad, Egypt and South Sudan.

The severity of the humanitarian emergency has been compounded by a deepening famine crisis, with 17.7 million Sudanese facing acute food insecurity, close to 5 million of whom are on the verge of starvation, as reported by OCHA and the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

In addition to the humanitarian crisis, the conflict has severely disrupted the healthcare infrastructure. The central depot, which stored all the antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV in the country is inaccessible and the stock that it holds has since expired.

Before the conflict erupted, 11,000 people living with HIV in Sudan were on HIV treatment, 4000 of whom were lost to follow-up when the war broke out. All HIV prevention and testing services were suspended.

“We are adapting the HIV response in Sudan to the situation in the country. Our priority has been to get anti-retroviral treatment to those who need it, in whatever way we can,” said Elsheikh Ali, UNAIDS Country Director for Sudan.

Despite these challenges, there are unsung heroes who are working tirelessly to ensure that the HIV response continues uninterrupted.

Amidst active war, the displacement of critical partners in the HIV response, poor internet connectivity and communications, sporadic electricity and growing food insecurity, the HIV national response team, with UNAIDS’ support, were able to reconsider, plan and raise resources for this new, national context of the HIV response in the country. The team was able to submit a funding application to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (Global Fund) and to finalize the Global Fund Grant Making process. This secured critical financial support to HIV, TB and Malaria for the next three years. The funds received from previous Global Fund cycles have been used to replace stocks of antiretroviral treatment (ARVs) as well as to establish new HIV treatment storage facilities in safer regions.

During the COVID pandemic, Sudan established a ‘Search and Rescue’ system to track people living with HIV who had  their treatment interrupted. Once the conflict in the country escalated, the HIV national response team were able to draw on the ‘Search and Rescue’ system to locate most of the 4000 people living with HIV who were lost to follow-up because of the war and to re-enrol them again to receive HIV treatment services.

“We have heroes here in Sudan, including networks of people living with HIV, who are working in very difficult circumstances, traveling tens of kilometres and risking their safety, to personally deliver ARVs to the people who need it,” said Elsheikh Ali, UNAIDS Country Director, Sudan. “These are the people we should be applauding; they are the ones keeping the HIV response going in the middle of a war and famine.”

The Ministry of Health, whose infrastructure has been significantly disrupted, is trying to provide critical HIV services including treatment and PEP (emergency medicine for HIV taken to prevent the virus in case of potential exposure to the virus) in regions of the country where there is active warfare. In more stable areas, more comprehensive HIV services are now being offered to those who need them.

In the face of the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, there are dedicated people who remain steadfast in their commitment and working selflessly to mitigate the impact of the conflict on the HIV response.

“The HIV national response team exemplify the resilience  the AIDS response,” said Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director Eastern and Southern Africa. “In the face of adversity – war, displacement, famine – and against all odds, they have found a way to continue collaborating to uphold the HIV response.” She adds, “They have completed a successful Global Fund grant in the middle of an active war. They have made sure that people living with HIV across Sudan are not being left behind, that they are found, there is treatment available for them and that they receive it.  That is resilience, commitment and leadership.”

WASHINGTON/GENEVA, 15 April 2024—A new report released today by UNAIDS and Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria shows how countries are leveraging their HIV responses to both ensure impact on the HIV response and also to improve broader national health and well-being. The report finds that investing now to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 will not only follow through on the commitment to end the pandemic but also magnify the broader health benefits of HIV specific investments.

The report, Expanding the HIV response to drive broad-based health gains, profiles country examples from Colombia, Côte D’Ivoire, Jamaica, South Africa, Thailand and Uganda. Experiences in these six countries indicate that strengthened HIV responses have contributed to broader health benefits. Far from being in isolation, HIV treatment, prevention and care programmes are also helping to build more robust health systems that enhance access to people-centred care and bolster pandemic preparedness.

For example, the integration of HIV and non-HIV specific services is increasing access to holistic, comprehensive health services needed for people living with and affected by HIV. In Côte d’Ivoire, Jamaica, South Africa and other countries, service platforms originally developed to respond to HIV are leveraged to provide a broad range of health services, including prevention, screening and treatment of noncommunicable diseases.

HIV care is inspiring models of care in other areas. In Colombia, a model of care specifically developed for HIV is now being used for the provision of comprehensive, coordinated care for other chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Health system components strengthened through HIV investments are also improving a wide array of health outcomes in addition to those related to HIV and AIDS. In Côte D’Ivoire, laboratory systems strengthened through HIV investments are contributing to diagnostic services for multiple health issues, including maternal and child health, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and COVID-19.

As progress lags in achieving many of the health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, efforts to end AIDS stand out as a beacon of hope. Since 2010, annual new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have declined globally by 38% and 51%, respectively.

Angeli Achrekar, Deputy Executive Director of Programmes at UNAIDS, said “This report highlights the need for more purposeful efforts by countries to identify and capitalize on ‘win-win’ opportunities that efficiently and effectively increase the reach of health services to accelerate progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and to reach other health-related Sustainable Development Goals.”

The report concludes with a series of recommendations to further leverage the wider health benefits through increased and sustained HIV investments. It says that particular attention is required to maintain and further strengthen investments in robust, sustainable community networks of people living with HIV and key populations, including networks led by women and young people.

Chris Collins, President and CEO of Friends of the Global Fight, said: “The HIV response is a force for multistakeholder engagement, human rights-based programming, community leadership and constant innovation. These are strengths we need to bring to health services more broadly, including pandemic preparedness and Universal Health Coverage. But this catalytic role for the HIV response is only possible if governments, donors and communities invest adequately and commit to accelerated progress against HIV.”

To join the April 16 (09:00 ET/15:00 CET) webinar highlighting the report findings, please register here.

Thank you to the Elton John AIDS Foundation for its support of this project.

Friends of the Global Fight

Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria advocates for U.S. support of the Global Fund, and the goal to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. For more information about Friends of the Global Fight, visit www.theglobalfight.org.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA/MONACO, 11 April 2024— Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS—the organization leading the global fight against AIDS—met with HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and HSH Princess Stéphanie of Monaco and government officials to strengthen Monaco’s collaboration with UNAIDS.

“Monaco is a long-standing and valued partner of UNAIDS. We continue to work together on our broad programme and also in key countries,” said Ms Byanyima. “What we particularly value is how Monaco shows such innovation in fighting HIV, and we learn from each other.”

During a visit to the Fight AIDS Monaco Association, Ms Byanyima and HSH Princess Stéphanie and Ms Byanyima met with volunteers, staff and members of the Association. Fight AIDS Monaco, founded in 2004 by Princess Stéphanie, supports people living with and affected by HIV in Monaco and the neighbouring area. They also fund projects in Madagascar, Burundi, South Africa, Mauritius, and more exceptionally Ukraine, Lebanon and Morocco.

“My heartfelt congratulations to the Fight AIDS Monaco team, celebrating your 20^th year – an important milestone- and one that shows your sustained commitment to ending AIDS,” said Ms Byanyima. “It is organizations like yours that make a difference for people’s overall well-being: a safe space to share, kindness and compassion when it is most needed.”

As they gathered around an AIDS memorial quilt, Princess Stéphanie said, “We are a small country, but we can achieve great things.” She then added, “Our foundation is a place where everyone is treated with dignity and without judgement. Fight AIDS Monaco is about giving life.”

Ms Byanyima also thanked Princess Stéphanie for her unwavering engagement as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador and expressed her appreciation for the Princess’s work to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

Despite huge progress in the HIV response, globally AIDS still claimed a life every minute in 2022. Monaco’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Christophe Robino, stressed that his government’s low cases of new HIV infections was a victory but one not to be taken for granted.

“This is a cause that we need to tackle daily and one day we will be able to end AIDS but we must keep talking about it while it still exists,” Mr Robino said.

Since 1988, Monaco has been implementing an integrated policy on ending HIV as a public health threat. The policy has resulted in free, anonymous HIV screening centres as well as prevention and testing campaigns in schools and businesses. 

Earlier during her visit, Ms Byanyima had a working meeting with representatives from the Monegasque government and Fight AIDS Monaco.

Isabelle Berro Amedei, Minister of External Relations and Cooperation said, “Health is one of Monaco’s priorities and that includes the fight against HIV in partner countries. We lead cooperation efforts to support countries where HIV prevalence is high like South Africa, Madagascar and Mozambique.”

Monaco signed a framework agreement with UNAIDS in 2007 and has provided support for UNAIDS work in Haiti (2010-2013), Burundi (2014-2016) and South Africa since 2017. The government of Monaco, Fight AIDS Monaco and UNAIDS vowed to continue their close collaboration on ending AIDS and reiterated their commitment to the Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 focusing on ending inequalities to end AIDS.  

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

FIGHT AIDS MONACO

Founded in 2004 by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Fight AIDS Monaco is a non-profit organization that helps people living with HIV. It also raises awareness about HIV prevention in schools and supports access to treatment and services in countries like Madagascar, Burundi, Mauritius and Ukraine. 

GENEVA/JOHANNESBURG, 3 April 2024—The Constitutional Court of Uganda has today struck down certain sections of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023.

“The Constitutional Court of Uganda made a judgment today to strike down certain sections of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023. Evidence shows that criminalizing populations most at risk of HIV, such as the LGBTQ+ communities, obstructs access to life-saving health and HIV services, which undermines public health and the overall HIV response in the country,” said Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. “To achieve the goal of ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030, it is vital to ensure that everyone has equal access to health services without fear."

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

UNAIDS needs to increase funding to just 1% of the US$ 20 billion HIV resources to effectively support countries in their goal of ending AIDS by 2030

GENEVA, 28 March 2024—UNAIDS is urging donors for a modest increase in funding to ensure that 35 countries can end their AIDS pandemics by 2025, five years ahead of the 2030 target. Current funding for UNAIDS is at US$ 160 million, less than 50% than the resources available in 2015. For maximum impact UNAIDS estimates it will need US$ 210 million annually which represents less than 0.02% of total health spending in low- and middle-income countries.

“UNAIDS has remained a steadfast and dependable partner, advocating and leveraging the strengths of the UN system to catalyze action, secure commitments, mobilize stakeholders, generate authoritative data, empower communities, address vulnerabilities, and tackle barriers,” said Ruth Laibon-Masha, Chief Executive Officer, National Disease Control Council of Kenya. “Let us seize this historic moment, where we are united in our consensus that we need UNAIDS to be fully functional as we have no doubt of the contribution of UNAIDS to global health and its centrality to ending AIDS as a public health threat. Kenya reaffirms our commitment to UNAIDS by honoring our pledge to contribute funds in 2024 and invite other implementing and donor countries not to be left behind by also increasing their contributions.”

UNAIDS projects that fully funding the Joint Programme would enable 35 countries to achieve the viral load suppression targets by 2025. That achievement would save 1.8 million lives, prevent 5.7 million new HIV infections by 2030 and establish a solid foundation for the world to end AIDS by 2030.  

“If UNAIDS was not there, we would all be asking for UNAIDS to be established. While we celebrate the progress we have made, we still need a very strong and well-resourced UNAIDS to continue to drive that progress.” said Ambassador John Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy. “A generational threat requires sustained leadership - sustained leadership that comes with the sustained commitment to provide financing for UNAIDS. So it is always our commitment from the United States that we make UNAIDS stronger and will continue to make UNAIDS that body that provides that Northern Star for all of us.”

“We rely on UNAIDS to support the voice of communities most affected by HIV in national HIV policies and decision-making processes as well as in efforts to improve access to services and address stigma and discrimination and gender inequity” said Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “Ensuring that UNAIDS is adequately resourced is critical to achieving continued progress in controlling HIV.”

As Mary Mahy, Director of Data for Impact, UNAIDS explains, “Diseases go through a period of increasing new infections, and over time, after interventions are implemented, new infections start to decline and countries reach a point of disease control then elimination, and eventually eradication. But with HIV we have not achieved disease control globally and some countries are still in the increasing infections stage. So there is still a considerable amount of work to be done in the HIV response to achieve HIV disease control, elimination and eradication.”

In 2022, every minute someone died of AIDS, 4000 young women and girls aged between 15 and 24 became infected with HIV every week, and of the 39 million people living with HIV more than 9 million do not have access to HIV treatment.

“Pandemics tend to go through cycles of panic and neglect. But health security can only be delivered when we break these cycles and deliver and sustain the gains that we have made together,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “With a modest increase in funding, over the next two years, UNAIDS can support 35 countries in reaching the 95-95-95 targets – and help sustain the gains. This will be an outstanding global achievement.”  

UNAIDS has developed a value proposition which highlights three key messages for the 2024–2025 period: 

• We know how to end AIDS as a public health threat. Taking this path is a political and financial choice. 

• A modest investment in UNAIDS will deliver maximum impact at the national and global levels.
• UNAIDS is uniquely placed as the lead of the global HIV response. Investment in UNAIDS is vital to invest to end AIDS, fight inequalities and save lives.  

UNAIDS is leading on the HIV response sustainability agenda, supporting countries to ensure well resourced, people centred and human rights-based HIV programmes that are increasingly funded through domestic resources. The sustainability agenda encompasses political, programmatic and financial sustainability, developed in close collaboration with PEPFAR, the Global Fund and other donors, countries and communities.

The agenda will consider the implications of the growing financial and debt crises faced by many low- and middle-income countries which are also highly affected by HIV. Approximately 60% of the resources for HIV responses in low- and middle-income countries came from domestic sources in 2022, compared to 50% in 2010. UNAIDS has a critical role in ensuring that political, programmatic and financial commitments for the HIV response are sustained.

“We all want the Joint Programme to continue to lead the AIDS response towards 2030,” said Kenya's Ambassador to the United Nations office in Geneva and Chair of UNAIDS Programme Coordinating board Cleopa K. Mailu. “It is the priority we make to the vulnerable people who need our support to lead meaningful and full lives. We must be able to find a collective solution to close the funding gap. Any moment we spend speaking of unsustainable funding for UNAIDS is a moment lost to save a life, prevent a new infection or a death.”

By fully funding UNAIDS and drawing on the technical expertise and geographical reach of its 11 United Nations Cosponsors, UNAIDS can continue to strategically lead and steer the response to HIV, based on data, agreed targets and principles laid out in the Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026. UNAIDS can maximize the return on investments made by governments, PEPFAR and the Global Fund, and work hand in hand with countries to end their AIDS pandemics by 2030 and ensure sustainability into the future.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is exacerbating the vulnerability of people living with or affected by HIV, particularly women, girls, and key populations. The situation has deepened existing inequalities, and multiplied the risks faced by marginalised communities. In the face of this adversity, UNAIDS continues to work with partners to ensure that people living with or affected by HIV have access to life-saving HIV services, including treatment and prevention services.

For example, in the West Department, over 50,000 people are receiving antiretroviral treatment and are at high risk of disruption. HIV prevention and health care services also face disruption. The recent violence continues to leave thousands of families traumatized. Thousands of people now find themselves unsafe and exposed to all types of risks. Displaced people and vulnerable populations need emergency aid and safe, protected spaces.

"Communities already at risk of HIV in Haiti have been made even more vulnerable, and people living with HIV are facing greater challenges in accessing treatment and care", said UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Luisa Cabal. "Together with all the United Nations agencies, and with partners, UNAIDS is advocating for safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and the protection health facilities and health workers."

The situation in Haiti is dire, with over 5.5 million people in need of assistance, including more than three million children. The World Food Programme has noted that around 1.4 million Haitians are "one step away from famine." The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Haiti has noted that the humanitarian response plan is only six percent funded. Less than half of the health facilities in Port-au-Prince are functioning at their average capacity, and there is a pressing need for safe blood products, anesthetics, and other essential medicines.

In the face of these challenges, UNAIDS and its Cosponsors, together with the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Observatory of Civil Society for HIV/TB/Malaria are supporting Haiti’s National AIDS Program.

UNAIDS has been working with the Ministry of Health and Population Unit for Management of Health Emergencies to support HIV treatment delivery. This support includes programmes to provide a broad package of support to affected communities. For example, together with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and in collaboration with the Organisation de Développement et de Lutte contre la Pauvreté (ODELPA), UNAIDS supports girls and women who are survivors of gender-based violence by training community leaders and granting empowerment funds for women and men's income-generating activities.

"We are working to ensure that people living with HIV have continuity of antiretroviral treatment as well as access to essential needs, especially including the most vulnerable people across the most affected areas," explains Christian Mouala, UNAIDS Country Director for Haiti. "UNAIDS remains committed to not let the humanitarian crisis disrupt the progress that has been made in the HIV response.  The United Nations stand together to support the people of Haiti."

ANTANANARIVO/GENEVA, 27 March 2024—Despite progress across most of sub-Saharan Africa, UNAIDS warns that gaps in HIV prevention are driving new HIV infections in the Indian Ocean Countries (IOC) and several other countries in Africa. The critical gaps in HIV prevention were the focus of a workshop organized by UNAIDS and UNFPA which was hosted in Madagascar between 18 and 20 March to address some of the barriers to accelerating progress.

Insufficient focus on HIV prevention in a number of African countries including Egypt, Madagascar, Angola, Sudan and South Sudan has resulted in these countries not achieving the proportionate declines in new infections seen in the rest of the region.

For example, the increase in the number of new infections in a country like Madagascar for example, is in stark contrast to the downward trend in Botswana which has seen a 66% decline in new HIV infections since 2010 and 36% decline in AIDS-related deaths during the same period.  As a result, Botswana—along with Eswatini, Rwanda and Zimbabwe— are on the path to end AIDS having achieved the global 95-95-95 targets through strong HIV prevention and treatment interventions.

Madagascar, one of the poorest countries in the region, has been hit by cyclical natural disasters including drought and cyclones, making it difficult for the country to recover and mount an effective response to HIV. Madagascar recorded a 151% increase in the number of new HIV infections since 2010, and a 279% increase in AIDS-related deaths during the same period. In addition, just 18% of the estimated 70 000 people living with HIV in Madagascar had access to treatment in 2022, and 3200 people died of AIDS-related illnesses. Sudan and South Sudan are also falling behind on HIV prevention and treatment efforts. Inequalities are exacerbating people’s vulnerability to HIV.

“Local research indicates increases in new HIV infections among key populations, including people who use drugs, and among young women and girls. This could be attributable to many factors including drug routes, recurring cyclones and deep poverty in some areas that is making people more vulnerable to HIV infections,” said Professor Zely Randriamanantany, Madagascar’s Minister of Public Health. “We need our international partners to invest with us before it's too late. This prevention focus is very welcome indeed."

“It is clear from our visits to communities and from speaking to health specialists in Madagascar, that the HIV epidemic is changing. The persistent rise in new infections in Madagascar since 2010, for example, shows that it could spread rapidly if we do not stop it in its tracks immediately,” said Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. “We know the path that ends AIDS. It’s not a miracle. It requires strong political and financial support.”

Gaps identified in some countries include a lack of data that would point to where HIV prevention efforts need to focus. Data gathering interventions are key to implementing evidence-informed and effective programmes. Some countries are also lacking commodities, including HIV testing kits and condoms.

“Inadequate investment in HIV responses is holding back ending AIDS as a public health threat,” said Jude Padayachy, UNAIDS Country Director for Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. “We need to accelerate the HIV response in the Indian Ocean Island states by ensuring all the basics—making sure people are informed about HIV and how to prevent it, and making sure people have access to HIV prevention services and commodities, such as condoms. We also need to make sure that people who are HIV-positive know their status and get the treatment they need.”

UNAIDS is committed to support countries to accelerate political leadership, investments and better data for prevention.

The meeting in Madagascar brought together HIV experts and programme leaders from a number of countries across Africa to learn from each other and to review and strengthen their national plans on HIV prevention to support countries in scaling up their HIV responses. The meeting included teams from Comoros, Egypt, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sudan and South Sudan.

Participants explored ways to improve data collection to help develop more of an understanding of the dynamics of their HIV epidemics to ensure an effective, evidence-informed, human rights-based response. They also drafted national assessments which will serve as a guide to facilitate dialogues with communities, governments, and partners. This will aid in refining strategies and setting priorities to implement ambitious HIV prevention plans. UNAIDS will continue to support countries in their internal assessments to strengthen their HIV responses.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Resolution on ‘Women, the Girl Child and HIV and AIDS’ updated, strengthened and adopted by consensus at the 68^th session of the Commission on the Status of Women

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 25 March 2024—On 22 March, governments attending the 68^th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) adopted, by consensus, a resolution focused on advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls as part of efforts to end AIDS.

The updated resolution 60/2, Women, the Girl Child and HIV and AIDS, underscores the urgent need to prioritize the health and rights of adolescent girls and young women in the context of the ongoing global AIDS pandemic. It recognizes that adolescent girls and young women are still disproportionately affected by HIV due to various socio-economic factors, including gender inequalities, poverty, and lack of access to education and healthcare.

The resolution underscores the imperative of advancing gender equality as central to ending AIDS, and reaffirms the commitments made in the 2021 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. The resolution calls for all governments to enact and intensify the implementation of laws and policies to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence, as well as end HIV-related stigma and discrimination against women and girls. It also calls for promoting active and meaningful participation and leadership of women and girls living with HIV in the AIDS response.

Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, expressed optimism and her profound appreciation for the adoption of the resolution, stating, "By committing to prioritizing the health and rights of women and girls in all their diversity and addressing HIV comprehensively, leaders have helped safeguard the health of women and girls, which will result in a more equitable and resilient future.”

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, a cosponsoring organization of UNAIDS which was instrumental in organizing and ensuring a successful outcome of CSW said, “Empowering women, securing rights and achieving equality is an imperative.”

UNAIDS applauds the leadership of Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Angola as its current chair for successfully championing the update of the resolution which was initially adopted in 2016. The updated resolution will continue to serve as a guiding framework for governments, communities and civil society groups, and all stakeholders as they collaborate to safeguard the rights of women and girls living with, at risk of and affected by HIV.

Crucially, UNAIDS emphasizes the importance of translating the commitments outlined in the resolution into concrete actions at the national, regional, and global levels. Efforts must focus on closing the gender gap in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, while also addressing the underlying social, economic, and structural factors that perpetuate gender-based discrimination, violence, and inequalities and increase the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV.

UNAIDS remains steadfast in its commitment to working collaboratively with governments, civil society, and other partners to create a world where the rights and dignity of all women and girls are respected, protected, and fulfilled, including women and girls living with, at risk of and affected by HIV.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.