PEPFAR has saved 25 million lives around the globe and is considered George W. Bush's greatest achievement. Donald Trump has left its future in doubt.

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.

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

The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has provided life-saving treatment to tens of millions since it was established in 2003

The United States has approved an emergency humanitarian waiver allowing continued access to HIV treatment funded by the U.S. across 55 countries worldwide including Kenya. On January 29, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio authorized the waiver,

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has expressed deep concern about the funding pause for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s order to pause nearly all foreign aid has halted funding to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), an African HIV-prevention program launched by President George W. Bush in 2003 that has saved over 25 million lives.

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

PEPFAR, a $7.5 billion initiative established in 2003, has provided HIV care to millions worldwide. The recent suspension of the program raised concerns about the potential loss of access to HIV medications for more than 20 million people.

The US government has issued a waiver allowing for life-saving HIV medications to resume after a global treatment program was halted last week. The original order to halt funding for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief - or PEP-FAR - would stop vital HIV treatment getting to low and middle income countries.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio allowed the continued distribution of HIV medications in the 55 countries supported by the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief. However, it remains unclear whether the waiver includes preventive drugs or other critical services.