Africa: New Data Reveals Scale of PEPFAR Disruptions as HIV Services Falter

What the report says

AllAfrica reported on July 23, 2026, that new large-scale evidence from organizations carrying out the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, points to broad disruptions in HIV services after recent U.S. funding and policy changes. The report, by Melody Chironda, says local implementing groups, children and key populations have been among those most affected.

According to AllAfrica, the PEPFAR Pulse Study surveyed 166 implementing partners in 46 countries about the period from November 2025 to April 2026. The study was conducted by amfAR’s Public Policy Office with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Funders Concerned About AIDS and Data Etc. Elise Lankiewicz of amfAR said 52% of surveyed organizations lost at least one PEPFAR award, contributing to the closure of more than 1,700 clinics, drop-in centres and other HIV service sites.

The findings indicate that HIV treatment services were largely maintained, while prevention and community-based programmes were reduced more sharply. AllAfrica reported that 43% of organizations providing prevention services permanently stopped at least one activity, with condom distribution and PrEP among the areas hit hardest. More than 80% of partners that had offered outreach, adherence support or peer-network services reported disruptions, and 77% of partners said continued funding required compliance with new U.S. policy restrictions.

Greg Millett of amFAR said the study offers real-world evidence beyond earlier projections. The report noted PEPFAR’s long-standing role in global HIV work, including its launch in 2003 and credit for saving more than 26 million lives, while warning that narrower services could weaken prevention efforts among groups at highest risk.