RIATT-ESA and Partners Welcome New U.S. HIV Funding, Call for Sustained Commitment to Safeguard Children in East and Southern Africa
The Regional Interagency Task Team on Children and HIV and AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa (RIATT-ESA), together with partners, welcomes the signing into law of a new United States funding package for the global HIV response. The legislation allocates approximately US$6 billion, including US$4.6 billion for bilateral HIV support, US$1.25 billion for the Global Fund, and support for UNAIDS, reinforcing the United States’ longstanding role in addressing HIV globally.
This renewed investment signals continued international commitment to saving lives and advancing progress toward global HIV targets, including the 95-95-95 goals aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
What this means for children in East and Southern Africa
For countries in East and Southern Africa, home to a significant share of the global HIV burden, U.S. funding has historically been pivotal. Programmes such as PEPFAR have saved over 26 million lives globally, prevented millions of infant infections, and supported services for millions of orphans and vulnerable children and caregivers.
The region’s reliance on U.S. support remains substantial. In several high-burden countries, U.S. funding contributes a major share of HIV prevention financing, with some countries depending on it for a majority of their prevention programmes.
For children and adolescents, continued investment means:
Sustained access to antiretroviral treatment and paediatric HIV services
Prevention of vertical transmission
Support for community systems assisting orphans and vulnerable children
Strengthening of health workforce capacity and integrated care services
Previous disruptions in U.S. funding demonstrated the risks: interruptions to treatment and prevention services have already been reported in the region, with many individuals experiencing reduced access to medicines or prevention tools. Earlier funding suspensions were estimated to put millions, including hundreds of thousands of children, at risk of losing care and reversing decades of progress.
Our Call to Action
While we welcome this funding commitment, RIATT-ESA and partners emphasize:
Predictability and sustainability: Children’s health outcomes depend on stable, long-term financing, not short-term or uncertain commitments.
Child-centred prioritization: Funding allocations must explicitly address paediatric treatment gaps, adolescent prevention, and protection of children affected by HIV.
Country ownership and partnership: Investments should strengthen national systems and community-led responses to ensure a durable impact.
Equity and inclusion: Programmes must reach marginalized children, including migrants, children with disabilities, and those in fragile settings.
Conclusion
The new U.S. funding law is an encouraging step that offers hope for safeguarding hard-won gains in the HIV response. However, sustained global solidarity and collaborative action remain essential to ensure that no child living with or affected by HIV in East and Southern Africa is left behind.
RIATT-ESA and its partners remain committed to working with governments, donors, and communities to translate this investment into meaningful outcomes for children and families across the region.
