Donald Trump Shuts Down HIV Projects in South Africa, Disrupting Vital Healthcare Services
In a major move, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the shutdown of HIV-related projects in South Africa that were funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The decision to end these programs, which have been vital in the country’s fight against HIV, has left numerous organizations scrambling to adjust to the abrupt termination of their grants.
Also Read: US To Take In White Afrikaners As Refugees As Trump Punishes South Africa With Sanctions
USAID’s HIV Funding Comes to an End
HIV organizations in South Africa that receive funds through USAID woke up to devastating news. Letters sent overnight informed them that their Pepfar (President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) grants had been permanently terminated.
This decision impacts many health organizations that rely on these funds to combat the HIV epidemic in South Africa, a country with one of the highest HIV infection rates in the world.
Since its launch in 2003, Pepfar has contributed approximately $8 billion to South Africa’s HIV response. For the current U.S. financial year, the country was set to receive $439,537,828, which will no longer be available for critical health projects. USAID supports 44 health projects in the country, including several district health projects aimed at improving access to care and treatment.
Major Health Organizations Affected
One of the organizations hit hardest by the funding cuts is the Anova Health Institute, which is the largest recipient of Pepfar funding in South Africa. Anova has played a key role in providing HIV testing and treatment in under-staffed government clinics. A senior official confirmed that the institute has lost all its funding, leaving many HIV-positive individuals without critical care.
The shutdown also affects TB programs funded through USAID. These programs work to test and treat individuals who are vulnerable to tuberculosis, a common illness among people living with HIV. Additionally, large nonprofit partners of the Accelerating Programme Achievements to Control the Epidemic (Apace), such as the Wits Reproductive Health Institute, Broadreach Healthcare, and Right to Care, have also received termination notices. Apace projects are critical in providing HIV prevention, treatment, and care services, especially to high-risk populations like the LGBTQI+ community and vulnerable children.
Global Impact of the Funding Freeze
Although not all USAID-funded organizations have confirmed receiving termination letters, many projects focused on key populations, such as orphans, vulnerable children, and LGBTQI+ groups, are facing shutdowns. Several South African organizations have reported similar disruptions in neighboring countries like Kenya and Malawi, where Pepfar-funded projects have received similar letters.
The recent decision follows a global freeze on all U.S.-funded aid projects announced by the Trump administration in January 2025. A limited waiver for some projects was granted in February, but it excluded HIV prevention activities. As a result, many projects were instructed to submit revised work plans and budgets in compliance with new rules. However, many organizations did not receive a response to their resubmissions and were instead met with abrupt termination notices.
Some Projects Continue Under CDC Funding
While Pepfar-funded programs have been affected, projects funded through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remain operational.
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reinstate CDC-funded projects, allowing them to continue their original work. However, these projects have only been funded through the end of March 2025, leaving their future uncertain.