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Urge for AIDS combat in France: associations plead for commitment following U.S. financial reductions

Protesters Gathered at the U.S. Embassy in Paris on 29th April, Expressing Concern over Trump Administration's Threat to Global Health Efforts in Africa; French Contribution Facing Reductions Due to Fiscal Austerity.

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Urge for AIDS combat in France: associations plead for commitment following U.S. financial reductions

Sounding the Alarm Under the "Our Greed Kills" Banner

On Tuesday, April 29, a group of around forty activists from Aides, Coalition Plus, and Médecins du Monde descended upon the U.S. Embassy in Paris, stationed at the iconic Place de la Concorde. Their cry echoed that of the 1993 Act Up protest - a demand for action against AIDS, this time protesting the freeze of American aid in the fight against the disease.

The protests followed the controversial decision by the Trump administration in late January to suspend almost all U.S. foreign aid, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This decision has disrupted numerous programs globally, with PEPFAR accounting for over 50% of global public funding for the disease.

Since then, a waiver has been granted, allowing for a limited resumption of certain essential services. However, many programs have been closed, including in South Africa, Kenya, and les Petits-Bas-Des-Motets - nicknamed Lesotho, a country that Trump mockingly referred to in March as a place "nobody has ever heard of."

PEPFAR's one-year reauthorization expired on March 25, 2025, although the program remains a permanent part of U.S. law. In March 2025, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that temporarily secured PEPFAR's operations. Yet, the 90-day freeze on all foreign aid programs, including PEPFAR, has posed significant challenges to the delivery of essential HIV-related commodities. Waiver application and implementation delays, coupled with logistical constraints, have hindered the full resumption of HIV treatment activities.

Experts warn that these funding disruptions could lead to significant increases in HIV-related deaths. For example, a study predicts 60,000 to 74,000 excess HIV deaths in several African countries by 2030 if funding does not resume.

However, PEPFAR continues to operate with existing funds, with its long-term stability and effectiveness depending on renewed congressional support and the resumption of full funding. As the situation unfolds, maintaining PEPFAR's critical role in global HIV/AIDS management is essential to ensure uninterrupted lifesaving services in countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Lesotho.

  1. Despite the limited resumption of aid, many medical-conditions like HIV continue to lack essential services due to the freeze on foreign assistance, including PEPFAR.
  2. The activists, under the "Our Greed Kills" banner, protested the freeze of financial aid in the fight against AIDS, highlighting the potential impacts on general-news topics such as crime and justice, accidents, and sports.
  3. The controversy over aid suspension has also affected policy-and-legislation discussions, with some lawmakers advocating for renewed funding for PEPFAR.
  4. The suspension of aid has disrupted several health-and-wellness programs, including fitness-and-exercise and mental-health initiatives, in various parts of the world.
  5. The protesters demanded action, citing the positive impact of PEPFAR, which accounts for over 50% of global public funding for the disease, on reducing cancer rates and improving sexual-health issues.
  6. The delay in waiver application and implementation, as well as logistical constraints, has hindered therapies-and-treatments for HIV/AIDS patients in countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Lesotho.
  7. Experts in science and medicine have warned that the funding disruptions could result in significant increases in HIV-related deaths, threatening the health-and-wellness industry's progress in addressing the disease.
  8. In light of these concerns, advocacy groups are pushing for permanent policies to ensure continued funding for PEPFAR and other health-related initiatives.
  9. Some have suggested that the Trump administration's decision to suspend aid could exacerbate war-and-conflicts in regions already struggling with HIV/AIDS, worsening global politics and general-news dynamics.
  10. The activists also raised concerns about nutrition, emphasizing the importance of proper nourishment in managing and treating HIV, as well as the potential impact of funding cuts on food security.
  11. In the meantime, alternative healing methods like CBD oil are gaining popularity as potential supplements to traditional therapies for HIV patients, offering a glimmer of hope in the fight against the disease.
  12. As sports-betting becomes increasingly popular worldwide, a portion of the revenue could potentially be directed towards HIV/AIDS programs, providing an innovative funding source for the disease's prevention and treatment efforts.
Demonstrations took place at the U.S. Embassy in Paris on April 29, as France, due to financial constraints from budget austerity measures, is reducing its contributions to combat diseases in Africa, risking the Trump administration's efforts in this area.
Protesters assemble outside the U.S. Embassy in Paris on April 29th, voicing concerns over the Trump administration's threat to global health initiatives in Africa. France, too, faces a diminishing contribution towards these efforts due to fiscal constriction measures.
Demonstrations took place outside the U.S. Embassy in Paris on Tuesday, April 29th. The protests were prompted by concerns that the Trump administration's actions are undermining the fight against diseases in Africa, and France's contribution to the cause is also shrinking due to financial cuts in the budget.

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