USAID Commemorates World AIDS Day 2023
Every year on December 1, we commemorate World AIDS Day. USAID has proudly served as the premier development agency implementing the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for 20 years. As we have moved from an emergency response to a focus on achieving sustained epidemic control, we acknowledge the progress we have made in the HIV response, reflect on the lives lost, and commit to ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
As many countries approach HIV epidemic control, we have a responsibility to strengthen the sustainability of the programs that provide life-saving services to people living with and affected by HIV. The U.S. government supports partner governments’ leadership and vision in their HIV/AIDS programs. We have done this by strengthening locally-led HIV service delivery, leveraging efficiencies, and strengthening the country and regional health systems that support the HIV response.
USAID's local partners lead the way in helping to end HIV as a public health threat, providing clinical services to over 70 percent of all USAID-supported individuals living with HIV. In partnership with community-led organizations, we strive for equitable access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services particularly for adolescent girls and young women, the LGBTQI+ community, children, people who use drugs, and other communities who continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV.
Our work is not done. HIV remains a serious threat to global health. Every week across the globe, 4,000 adolescent girls and young women become infected with HIV. Overall, fewer men than women seek HIV testing and still remain untreated in higher numbers. And as of 2022, an estimated 1.5 million children are living with HIV and only 57 percent of these children are on life-saving HIV treatment. We are committed to closing these gaps.
In 2023, we are proud that USAID, through PEPFAR:
Provided over seven million people living with HIV with life-saving treatment.
Enabled three million infants to be born HIV-free to mothers living with HIV.
Supported over 5.8 million orphans and vulnerable children and their families affected by HIV.
Expanded access to prevention options by introducing a new generation of HIV prevention products for women.
Together with our partners and the global HIV community, USAID will continue to provide impactful, equitable, and innovative programming to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
Stories of Impact
Diving into DREAMS: Our latest updates and stories
DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe) is a partnership developed by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Response (PEPFAR). The DREAMS goal is to reduce HIV prevalence among AGYW ages 10 to 24 in 16 countries with high rates of HIV. DREAMS operates across multiple sectors including health, economic growth, education, and civil society engagement.
Celi's story: How a young woman in South Africa leads the way to prevent HIV
Celimpilo “Celi” Heather Nkambule, 27, lives in Katlehong, South Africa, where HIV prevalence is high. After discovering that a friend of hers has HIV, Celi was motivated to help other women in her community learn how to avoid contracting the virus.
“When You Share Your Story, You Give Courage to Others
Violet and Thereza are two of millions of people whose lives have been saved through PEPFAR. As of 2022, approximately 20 million people living with HIV in 54 countries received PEPFAR-supported ART.
'Every generation has to step up’: Our HIV/AIDS Staff Reflect on PEPFAR’s Impact
“The first child that died in front of me suffered from AIDS,” says Ryan Phelps, a medical officer who works in USAID’s Office of HIV/AIDS. “This made me deeply sad, and livid. We all have instances that define who we are. Moments that leave marks that are no less permanent than a tattoo…or deep scar. That was when my PEPFAR story started.”
Twenty Years of PEPFAR
USAID Commemorates 20 years of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
As the world's premier international development agency, USAID drives progress through and beyond our programs to confront the greatest challenges of our time, embrace new partnerships, and invest in enduring effectiveness. For over 20 years, USAID has played a critical role in the global HIV/AIDS response, and since 2003 has led the implementation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has helped over 50 countries curb their HIV epidemics.
USAID’s Unique Role in PEPFAR
Through our dedicated staff around the world, host country governments, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, multilateral institutions, civil society and faith-based organizations, people living with HIV, and with the strength of our programs, we are well positioned to advance human rights, address inequality, and end HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
Celebrating our Dedicated Staff
Advancing human rights, addressing inequalities, and ending HIV as a public health threat would not be possible without USAID’s dedicated staff. Meet some of the current and former USAID team members who have made a difference in the world through PEPFAR.
Celebrating our Dedicated Partners
Local partners are essential to maintain treatment continuity, reduce mortality, and improve quality of life – all vital to sustaining HIV impact and long-term sustainability of the response. Meet some of the partners that have worked with USAID/PEPFAR through the years.