Arop Jonchol
Juba, South Sudan – Al-Naeim Mubarak Kuol
The South Sudan HIV/AIDS Commission (SSAC) has expressed deep concern over reduced funding for its programs and has called on the Government of South Sudan to intensify its efforts in implementing the national strategic plans to combat HIV/AIDS.
This appeal follows significant reductions in financial support from the United States, prompting the Commission to urge both local and international partners to provide greater assistance to ensure the continuity of vital programs.
At a press conference held on Tuesday, Dr. Esterina Novello, Chairperson of the Commission, stated that their four-year strategic plan requires $300 million for effective implementation. She explained:
“We have developed a four-year strategic plan, and the required funding can be broken down into phases to facilitate implementation.”
Dr. Novello acknowledged the support provided by the government and some partners but noted that the rise in HIV infections is partly due to limited public awareness, which necessitates a more effective response and greater support.
She added that full allocation of the proposed budget would significantly strengthen the country’s healthcare institutions.
Although the U.S. government has recently allowed certain life-saving humanitarian programs to resume operations, the repercussions of previous aid cuts are still being felt, especially in specialized institutions like the AIDS Commission.
For his part, Mr. Peter Garang, Executive Director of the Network of AIDS Service Organizations in South Sudan (NASOSS), echoed these concerns, warning that the future of the HIV response remains uncertain and that new infections may increase.
“Since the beginning of this crisis, we have already lost lives. In March alone, two people died of AIDS – deaths that could have been prevented,” he said.
He called on the government to take responsibility and provide sustainable funding for HIV/AIDS programs, pointing to the severe lack of public awareness, as some citizens still question the existence of the virus.
Mr. Garang expressed gratitude to international donors but stressed that full reliance on external support is not sufficient. He added:
“The government has not allocated any national budget for these programs. We are entirely at the mercy of donors.”
In a related context, Ms. Evelyn Letio Unzi, Program Coordinator for the National Empowerment for Positive Women United (NEPWU), stated that the suspension of funding from PEPFAR and USAID has had immediate and devastating effects.
Letio added that her organization used to receive about $1 million annually to support outreach and community awareness activities, which are essential in preventing the spread of HIV.
“Since the stop-work order was issued, more than 1,500 people living with HIV have missed critical medical appointments, risking treatment disruptions, increased drug resistance, and higher transmission rates,” she explained.
Letio confirmed that prevention programs—such as condom distribution, awareness campaigns, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)—are now at risk due to the ongoing funding freeze.
