The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, provides billions in funding to organizations to combat HIV.

On Friday, a memorandum signed by Marco Rubio called for a 90-day cessation of foreign aid. That would likely put on hold the work of PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

PEPFAR has saved 25 million lives around the globe and is considered George W. Bush's greatest achievement. Donald Trump has left its future in doubt.

The United States has approved an emergency humanitarian waiver allowing continued access to HIV treatment funded by the U.S. across 55 countries worldwide including Kenya. On January 29, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized the waiver,

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed deep concern about the funding pause for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries.

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, is credited with saving 25 million lives worldwide and has long enjoyed bipartisan support.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s order to pause nearly all foreign aid has halted funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), an African HIV-prevention program launched by President George W. Bush in 2003 that has saved over 25 million lives.

The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has provided life-saving treatment to tens of millions since it was established in 2003

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s foreign aid pause threatens PEPFAR, risking delays in life-saving HIV treatments for 20 million globally.

The United States government has suspended support for HIV treatment in Nigeria and other developing countries following a directive from President Donald Trump. The U.S. State Department has paused the disbursement of funds from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for at least 90 days.

PEPFAR partners describe a whiplash-inducing stop-work order, which has left them with many questions — including whether they can continue to provide lifesaving treatment — but very few answers.