Post Reports
The global fight against HIV/AIDS, in chaos
Apr 7, 2025
Katharine Houreld, the Nairobi correspondent for The Washington Post, shares insights into the current chaos in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, influenced by drastic U.S. foreign aid cuts. She tells the poignant story of Mary, a mother in Kenya, highlighting the dire consequences of funding disruptions. Clinics are closing, medications are rationed, and vulnerable communities are severely impacted. Houreld emphasizes the ongoing struggle for resources and the resilience of individuals confronting these challenges every day.
31:14
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Quick takeaways
- The freeze on foreign aid by the Trump administration has directly led to clinic closures and rationed HIV medication in affected communities.
- The future of PEPFAR is jeopardized, risking a resurgence of HIV/AIDS-related deaths and reversing years of hard-won progress in global health.
Deep dives
Mary's Struggle for Survival
Mary, a former sex worker in Nairobi, faces significant financial challenges that prevent her from paying school fees for her children. Recently, she lost her income from working in HIV outreach, which had provided her with a stipend of approximately $100 a month. This loss occurred after a series of policy changes initiated by the Trump administration, which included a freeze on foreign aid that directly impacted her community. As a result, Mary is struggling to provide basic necessities and has resorted to hiding from her landlord due to unpaid rent.
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