IAS 2025: A Rallying Cry as U.S. HIV Funding Cuts Threaten Key Populations
- Apha News
- Jul 22
- 1 min read

At the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) in Kigali, Rwanda, attendees voiced growing alarm over the devastating impact of U.S. federal funding cuts - driven by the Trump administration - on HIV prevention and care, especially for key populations like sex workers, people who use drugs, LGBTQ+ communities, and adolescent girls.
Speakers at the conference recounted gut-wrenching stories: communities in Nigeria, Liberia, Kenya and beyond have lost access to vital HIV services, political advocacy, and life-saving interventions. One Nigerian project officer said, “because of these funding cuts… there are no HIV services for key populations” and many groups are left with fear and stigma in general healthcare settings. In Liberia, US-funded organizations have been forced to close, leaving LGBTQ+ advocates powerless against draconian anti‑LGBT laws.
In a powerful moment, South Africa’s Yvette Raphael and Kenya’s Rosemary Mburu took to the plenary stage, urging scientists and funders: integration without decriminalisation, accountability, and dedicated funding is “a death sentence.” Mburu reminded delegates that “
Community action is what gives science its soul”
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