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, or PEPFAR, is credited with saving 25 million lives worldwide and has long enjoyed bipartisan support.

US President Donald Trump recently announced a freeze on an emergency plan for AIDS relief, also known as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

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.

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).

In a last-minute move, the Trump administration issues an emergency waiver to ensure millions of people in 55 countries continue receiving life-saving HIV treatment.

"For now, all HIV/AIDS programmes continue. As the South African government, we want to emphasize that nobody must stop taking ARVs because that would be devastating," Motsoaledi said.

The Democratic Alliance and Build One South Africa have expressed concerns over the US government's decision to suspend critical funding for HIV/Aids programs in South Africa, jeopardising the health of millions.

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.