As part of the foreign aid freeze by President Donald Trump, the U.S. distribution of HIV drugs in poor countries has been stopped.

The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, provides billions in funding to organizations to combat HIV.

On Friday, a memorandum signed by Marco Rubio called for a 90-day cessation of foreign aid. That would likely put on hold the work of PEPFAR, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

A new report estimates that 135,987 babies will be born with HIV during the 90-day stoppage on foreign aid spending.

JOHANNESBURG - More than 15,000 health workers in the country will be affected by the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw HIV/AIDS relief. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced a freeze on the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Since PEPFAR’s inception, the US government has invested over $100 billion in the global HIV/AIDS response. According to WHO, this the programme provide access to life-saving HIV therapy to more than 30 million people worldwide. Globally, 39.9 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2023.

But late last week, the State Department, led now by former Florida Senator Marco Rubio, issued a memo clarifying that the freeze includes current foreign assistance programs as well, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. Also affected is USAID, which will hamper global efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB).

Newly elected US head of state, Donald Trump, recently announced there will be a freeze to the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief - also known as PEPFAR.

International aid groups warned that the Trump administration’s “stop work order” on foreign assistance risks both lives and American influence across Africa, where US aid funds everything from military exercises to local hospitals.

The action originates from President Trump’s executive order on foreign aid, which he signed on his first day in office last Monday.

By A Correspondent In a shocking move, President Donald Trump has imposed a 90-day freeze on all foreign aid spending, including funding for HIV programs, putting millions of lives at risk. This