Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Yambio (Agenzia Fides) – The suspension of the HIV & AIDS program in Yambio has placed thousands of lives at risk. Healthcare workers, patients, and local authorities are now calling for urgent intervention to restore funding and ensure continued access to life-saving treatment.
Following the decision to halt the activities of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for 90 days, which makes the United States the main country for providing humanitarian aid, the Western Equatoria State Ministry of Health has confirmed the suspension of the HIV & AIDS program in Yambio due to funding cuts from the United States, leaving thousands of vulnerable individuals uncertain about their future.
“The program was halted following decisions from the United States. I spoke with the program director of CMMB Yambio, and they assured me that discussions are ongoing. We expect to receive further updates soon,” said Health Minister James Abdallah Arona to the local press.
The Minister expressed concern about the impact of the decision, emphasizing that the program was heavily reliant on international donors, including USAID and Sweden. “If funding stops, people will suffer. I urge the national government and our partners to engage donors to ensure continued support for our vulnerable population,” said Arona.
According to reports, the HIV/AIDS prevalence in Western Equatoria is 6.8%. This is higher than the prevalence in the other states of the greater Equatoria region, which are Central Equatoria (3.1%) and Eastern Equatoria (4.0%).
“We were instructed to halt all ongoing services. Before closing, we informed all county health departments about the development,” said the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) clinician from CMMB Yambio, Henry Biata Nzari. “The government must act swiftly to prevent further suffering. The community is highly vulnerable, and the impact of this suspension could be devastating,” he stressed.
USAID was founded in 1961 with the aim of fighting global poverty, providing humanitarian assistance to countries affected by conflict or health emergencies, and supporting the development of democratic societies by improving their potential. Since the 1980s, USAID has worked in the areas of food security, the right to education and humanitarian assistance, focusing on combating the spread of pandemic threats and diseases such as HIV and malaria, as well as supporting maternal and child health. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 5/2/2025)
