When Esther Nyamungu talks about Ebola, she does not begin with the day she became ill. She starts with what came after. 

A community worker at a Bunia community-based point of distribution of antiretrovirals, known in French by its acronym PODI, Esther contracted Ebola during this most recent outbreak that has swept through Ituri province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. She was taken to a treatment centre in Bunia, where patients arrive carrying both the symptoms of the disease and the fear that surrounds it.  

Today, Esther calls herself a survivor. Living with HIV, she also survived Ebola. "I was taken to the Ebola treatment centre. I recovered, and now I have resumed my activities. I work as usual," she says. Her experience left her with a simple message for others. "I encourage people to go early to an Ebola treatment centre," she says.  

Across Ituri, stories like Esther's have become an important source of information in communities where rumours and fear can discourage people from seeking care, especially among those living with HIV. Survivors are often among the most trusted voices, speaking from experience rather than theory. Yet Ebola is only one part of the challenge facing families in the province.  

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNAIDS is helping ensure the Ebola response does not come at the expense of other essential health services. Working alongside government authorities, community organizations, health partners and United Nations agencies, UNAIDS supports efforts to keep HIV services available, strengthen community engagement and connect emergency response measures with longer-term health system resilience.  

The approach draws on decades of lessons from the HIV response, showing how trusted communities, coordinated partnerships and sustained political commitment can help countries respond to outbreaks while continuing to serve people's everyday health needs.   

As global health challenges become increasingly interconnected, the experience in Ituri highlights the importance of maintaining strong community-led responses, protecting access to services and ensuring that no one is left behind during times of crisis.  

“In affected areas, the Ebola outbreak and response have put pressure on routine health services, with fear, stigma and stretched health facilities contributing to reduced attendance and making it harder for some people living with HIV to collect medicines or remain engaged in care”, says Marie Margarete Molnar, UNAIDS Country Director for the DRC. 

Those concerns were at the centre of discussions in Bunia in July when community representatives, health officials and local organizations met with UNAIDS, during a three-day mission to the province. Bunia is the epicentre of the country's current Ebola outbreak.  

The meeting brought together people working closest to affected communities. Among them was Angèle Machozi, a community representative who described the strain the outbreak has placed on local organizations. She said, “community groups had continued supporting vulnerable people despite limited resources and growing needs.” New funding, she explained, would allow them to expand activities already underway and reach more communities affected by the outbreak. 

Since the outbreak was declared in May 2026, Ebola has spread across multiple provinces. As of mid-September, WHO reported more than 7,200 confirmed cases and more than 3,475 deaths. Public health experts warn that the true scale may be larger because not all infections are detected and many transmission chains remain unknown.  

In response, two community-based projects supported by UNAIDS have been launched in Ituri in partnership with local authorities, a national network of people living with HIV (UCOP+), and a national civil society consortium (ANORS). The project is designed to cover 11 of the health zones most affected by Ebola relying on PODI structures to connect people to 23 health facilities nearby.   

The activities focus on practical challenges communities face every day: distributing antiretroviral medicines, following up with people living with HIV, supporting prevention of mother-to-child transmission, improving infection prevention measures, and sharing information about Ebola through trusted local networks. 

The approach reflects a reality often overlooked during health emergencies. Outbreaks are not fought only in treatment centres. They are also fought in neighborhoods, community halls, places of worship and local markets, where people decide whether to seek care, collect medicines or trust public health advice.  

That is where Esther's voice matters. She is not a doctor or a health official. She is someone who became ill, received treatment and returned to her life. Now, when others ask about Ebola, she offers an answer grounded in her own experience. 

She tells them she survived. And she tells them not to wait. 

At a high-level event at UNGA81 cohosted by the Governments of the Netherlands and Botswana, representatives of member states, communities, United Nations officials and global health partners affirmed the need for a transformed Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) that can sustain political leadership, accountability and community engagement in the global HIV response.

During this event, held during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week, participants reflected on what is needed to ensure that the Joint Programme remains fit for purpose amid changing financing, widening inequalities, threats to human rights and an increasingly complex global health landscape.

Across the discussion, speakers emphasized the importance of protecting the functions that have made UNAIDS distinctive: keeping HIV high on the political agenda; convening governments, communities, the United Nations and partners; strengthening data and accountability; supporting country leadership; and ensuring that communities are able to co-create and co-lead the response.

Opening the event, Stephen Modise, Minister of Health of Botswana and co-host, stressed the value of a Joint Programme that responds to countries’ needs and supports national leadership in the HIV response.

“Our journey has shown what is possible when political leadership, communities, science, and partnership come together with common purpose and coordinated support. We would not have reached this point without the UNAIDS Joint Programme,” said Stephen Modise.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed highlighted the importance of sustained multilateral action to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals and end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“The global HIV and AIDS response stands among the finest achievements of the UN, and among the clearest proof of what collective action, inclusive collective action, can deliver. For more than three decades, UNAIDS has helped lead the charge. Millions of lives have been saved, not only through prevention and treatment, but by standing with communities, amplifying their voices, defending their rights, keeping that space open for them,” said Amina Mohamed.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said that the next chapter of the Joint Programme must build on its unique ability to bring together governments, communities, the United Nations and partners behind a shared global HIV response.

“Ultimately, transformation is not only about integrating UNAIDS Joint Programme into the UN system, it’s about integrating the AIDS response into stronger national institutions,” said Winnie Byanyima.

The discussion was moderated by Angeli Achrekar, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, and brought together voices from governments, communities, civil society, global health partners and the United Nations.

Douglas Bosire of Kenya’s Ministry of Health reflected on how countries can translate the commitments in the 2026 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and the Global AIDS Strategy into action, while ensuring that HIV responses are nationally owned and sustainable.

“Let us preserve the core functions of the Joint Programme in the hub and at the country level,” said Douglas Bosire.

Julia Martin, Head of Strategy at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, emphasized the importance of partnership, coordinated investment and shared accountability in supporting countries to sustain progress against HIV.

“The Global Fund depends on UNAIDS. And so I want to put that right up front that looking forward to how the Political Declaration and the objectives that were placed in that document can be achieved, it’s really a partnership,” said Julia Martin.

The meeting also considered how the HIV response can strengthen national ownership while retaining the political leadership, coordination and accountability needed to keep HIV visible and deliver results. Participants noted that a future Joint Programme must support countries according to their specific contexts and needs, while drawing more effectively on the capacities of the wider United Nations system and other partners.

Keren Dunaway, NGO Delegate to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board and representative of the International Community of Women Living with HIV, underscored that communities must remain central to the future of the HIV response.

“We support a responsible transformation that preserves the Joint Programme’s leadership, coordination, and accountability, and keeps communities involved in shaping what comes next,” said Keren Dunaway.

Florence Anam, Co-Executive Director of GNP+, called for communities to be recognized and resourced as genuine co-creators and co-leaders of the HIV response, particularly at a time of shrinking civic space and pushback against human rights.

“I am happy that we are at this point where we understand that we need UNAIDS and we need UNAIDS leadership. It really excites me to sit in this meeting today and see the voice, the tone shift from what it was last year and early this year,” said Florence Anam.

“But I think as UNAIDS transforms and chooses to transform responsibly, that responsibility will require a clear definition of what community role will be, intentionally positioned at country level, where we must all go and sit with our governments and define,” she added.

Participants also reflected on the need for resilient HIV responses in the face of outbreaks, humanitarian emergencies and other crises. Mikheil Sarjveladze, Minister of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Health, Labour and Social Affairs of Georgia, spoke to the importance of continuity of services and strong, coordinated public-health systems.

“Have we achieved the goals to end AIDS by 2030? The answer is no, we haven't yet achieved all results to end HIV. Is there still necessity of information to be shared? Is there any risk of new outbreaks? Of course, there is such a risk. Thus, I think it will be impossible to find or invent better solution to all above-mentioned challenges than to continue with UNAIDS,” said Mikheil Sarjveladze.

In closing, Pascalle Grotenhuis, Vice Minister for International Cooperation in the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the importance of an effective, accountable and adequately resourced multilateral response to HIV.

“In the 30 plus years that UNAIDS has existed, a lot has been achieved. The numbers of HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are at the lowest level ever, and this progress shows that a joint AIDS response works. The Netherlands was there at the start of the joint program, and we are as committed today to end AIDS as we were then,” said Pascalle Grotenhuis.

The event demonstrated a shared commitment to ensuring that the Joint Programme can continue to mobilize political will, protect human rights, elevate community leadership and support countries to deliver on the promise of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 24 September 2026—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) warmly welcomes a new contribution of € 544,042 from the Government of Benin to support UNAIDS' work in the country over the period 2026-2027. 

The funding agreement, signed in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, reflects Benin's strong commitment to sustaining progress against HIV and ensuring that lifesaving prevention, treatment and support services continue to reach the people who need them most. The contribution will help strengthen UNAIDS' presence in Benin and support efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient HIV response at a time when many countries and organizations are facing reduced international financing for health and development programmes. 

“This signing is not a simple administrative act; it is a mark of loyalty. Since 2001, UNAIDS has stood by our side,” said the Minister of Health of Benin Benjamin Hounkpatin. “It is more than a financing agreement; it is proof that a steadfast partnership, sustained over time, saves lives: 72% fewer new infections and 51% fewer deaths since 2010. These are lives saved and families protected.” 

UNAIDS has been supporting Benin's HIV response since 2001, working alongside government institutions, communities, civil society organizations and development partners to expand access to HIV services, reduce stigma and discrimination, and advance health equity. Over the past decade, Benin has made significant progress in the HIV response.  

"This contribution from the Government of Benin is a powerful demonstration of national leadership and shared responsibility in the fight against HIV," said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "At a time when global health financing is under pressure, Benin is sending a clear message: the fight against AIDS is not over. We are deeply grateful for this partnership, which will help protect hard-won gains, accelerate progress towards ending AIDS and ensure that no one is left behind." 

Benin’s support will strengthen UNAIDS' strategic capacity to provide policy advice, data and analysis, community engagement, resource mobilization, and efforts to reach populations most affected by HIV. It will also help reinforce coordination across sectors to ensure that Benin remains on track to achieve national and global HIV targets. 

“At a time when multilateral funding is faltering across the world, Benin has chosen not to look away,” added Minister Hounkpatin. “By mobilizing €544,042 for the next two years, our country is sending a clear signal: that it is taking full ownership of, and responsibility for, its response to HIV. Today, we honour this partnership, and we renew our commitment to it for the future.” 

Benin joins a growing group of countries investing directly in UNAIDS' work, alongside Algeria, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Côte d'Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Lao PDR, the Philippines and Thailand. These contributions reflect the strong confidence that countries place in UNAIDS' role and their determination to sustain a robust HIV response by ensuring UNAIDS remains present and actively engaged on the ground. 

UNAIDS commends the Government of Benin for its leadership and commitment to investing in a healthier and more equitable future and looks forward to continuing its close collaboration with all national partners 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.

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 24 September 2026—The Joint United Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the African Union Development Agency (NEPAD) and partners have convened African ministers, government leaders, private sector, and international organizations to drive a shared agenda for health sovereignty and speed-up African production of cutting-edge medicines and health technologies for HIV and other pandemics. 

The event, held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, focused on how Africa can accelerate access to life-saving health technologies through stronger regional manufacturing, regulatory cooperation and political leadership. 

As well as UNAIDS and AUDA-NEPAD, partners included the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania and the Global Council on AIDS, Inequality and Pandemics.  

Participants pointed to scientific breakthroughs, such as long-acting HIV prevention medicines, mRNA vaccine technologies and new shorter TB treatments as they laid out ways to better translate science into access for all.  

“Africa cannot remain at the back of the line when life-saving medicines exist,” said the Executive Director of UNAIDS Winnie Byanyima.  

Tiémoko Meyliet Kone, Vice President of Cote D’Iovire told participants, “Health sovereignty involves strengthening our ability to secure our supplies, consolidate our production capacity, innovate and contribute fully to global health solutions.”  

Ministers and agency heads identified actions across a number of priorities for advancing health sovereignty across the continent. 

Discussing actions to harmonize markets and build a more coordinated regulatory environment, Zambia’s Health Minister Roma Chilengi said, “Technical know-how on the continent has grown, political will is now a given…we must move beyond colonial era dependence.”  

In a discussion on expanding production capacity, South Africa’s Joe Phaahlaa, Deputy Minister of Health, reflected on lessons from Biovac’s experience during COVID-19. “Local Manufacturing needs predictable demand, pooled procurement and investment to be sustainable.” 

The Director General of NEPAD, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, called for greater alignment between political ambition and implementation, noting that fragmented markets continue to limit the scale and predictability needed for African manufacturers to invest in advanced production. 

Government leaders from Europe and Latin America outlined actions to build a new model of global cooperation, based on equity, partnership and shared responsibility.  

Adriano Massuda, Executive Secretary of Health of Brazil said, " Under the Brazil G20 presidency, we launched a global coalition for local and regional production, innovation, and equitable access to strengthen global cooperation, technology transfer, and local and regional manufacturing capacities. As President Lula says, ‘Africa is a key partner in this agenda. Brazil is ready to deepen South-South cooperation with African countries’.”  

Florence Anam, Executive Director of the Global Network of People Living with HIV, reminded the audience that “Availability is not access.”  

Participants recognized the importance of the African Medicines Agency, the African Continental Free Trade Area and pooled procurement mechanisms in creating larger, more predictable markets for African-produced health technologies. 

A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the unique value of UNAIDS in bringing together leaders across sectors who would not otherwise be at the same table. 

“The coordination and convening of these high-level dignitaries around this table, from government, the private sector and beyond, is evidence of the value that many of us see in UNAIDS,” said Douglas Bosire, Chief Executive Officer of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council, Kenya. “Convening bold political commitment and leadership is key to resolving the issues we have discussed here. Without this gathering, we would simply be talking amongst ourselves.” 

The event reinforced that achieving health sovereignty is not only about medicines and manufacturing. It also requires trusted institutions, political leadership, regional cooperation and meaningful engagement with communities. 

The United Nations will continue to convene governments, industry, civil society and international partners to turn scientific progress into equitable access and better health outcomes for all. 

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.

In June, earthquakes in Venezuela left many people living with HIV facing urgent questions. Were pharmacies and health facilities still operating? Where could they collect their medicines? How could they continue their care? At the Venezuelan Network of People Living with HIV (RVG+), the phone started ringing as people sought information and support.

“There was a lot of fear because people did not know where to go, what to do or who to call to find out how to continue receiving care,” said Alfredo Mendieta, HIV community monitoring project officer at RVG+, a Venezuelan civil society network and advocacy group that supports people living with HIV.

RVG+ began identifying what each person needed and connecting them with its teams on the ground, who helped reconnect them with services. According to the organization, 90% of the people who approached the network were linked back to health services.

Across the border in Colombia, community organizations faced similar challenges after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in August. Fundación Ancla, Red Somos and Fundamor combined their efforts and strengthened word-of-mouth outreach to find people who needed treatment in Manizales, Pereira, Cali and Chocó, some of the country's most affected regions.

“In a context of uncertainty, people needed answers for the here and now,” said Aharón Andrés Cardona, founder and director of Fundación Ancla. While regular service points were being restored, the organizations focused on identifying people and arranging access to medicines. According to Cardona, “around 70% of the people who approached them seeking medicines were able to access treatment through the civil society-led response.”

In both neighboring countries, community response helped support people while services gradually recovered. They knew where to find those who needed assistance. Authorities knew they needed to restore and maintain access to care as soon as possible. UNAIDS helped connect the different parts of the response, organizing information gathered through the calls to identify priorities and emerging needs, facilitating links between community-led services and local health authorities, and mobilizing resources to keep phone lines open and help people travel from temporary camps to health facilities.

The experience in Venezuela also contributed to the development of a simple guidance for protecting continuity of HIV care during emergencies and disasters. Two months later, UNAIDS helped adapt and update this guidance to the Colombian context, sharing it with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and community organizations, including Fundación Ancla.

“Communities know their people and their neighborhoods. They know where the needs are, and they’re often the first place that people turn to when they need support,” said Luisa Cabal, UNAIDS Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “When emergencies happen, it is imperative to support strong community leadership and coordination with authorities. This can make all the difference in ensuring that no one is left behind or disconnected from the care they need.”

The experience highlights a broader lesson that extends beyond Colombia and Venezuela. By supporting coordination among local actors when emergencies disrupt daily life, UNAIDS contributes not only to maintaining continuity of care for people in vulnerable situations, but also to strengthening preparedness for future health emergencies, showing that lessons from the HIV response continue to inform broader efforts to build resilient, people-centered health systems.