Christian evangelical organizations have played a crucial role in establishing the US program that has saved numerous lives from HIV/AIDS. However, these groups are now urging the Trump administration to protect the program from drastic cuts to foreign assistance. The State Department has declared that the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar), which has prevented millions of premature deaths, will be exempt from the cancellation of most US overseas aid. However, the program heavily relies on logistical support from the US Agency for International Development (USAid), which has faced widespread project cancellation.
Evangelical groups, who supported Trump’s election due to his stance on abortion policy, warn that the delivery of US-funded antiretroviral medications has nearly come to a halt in several countries, especially in Africa. They fear that this could lead to a resurgence of AIDS in regions where it has been controlled, resulting in a loss of millions of lives. USAid funding is crucial for the proper functioning of Pepfar, and its termination is causing severe damage to the supply chain for HIV treatment.
While some evangelical organizations and churches have remained silent in defense of Pepfar, others are advocating for its preservation. Emily Chambers Sharpe, the health director at World Relief, notes that healthcare centers in Africa have reported a significant disruption in the supply chain for HIV treatment due to aid cuts. He believes that Pepfar is a life-saving program that promotes the importance of HIV treatment, known as “The Lazarus Effect.”
Galen Carey, vice-president of government relations at the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), calls on the administration to restore Pepfar to its full capacity. He expresses concern that Congress shares this sentiment, but the program has become entangled in broader attacks on foreign aid. Approximately 20 million people rely on medicines provided by Pepfar, with countries like Nigeria being heavily dependent on the program for their HIV funding and infrastructure.
Matthew Loftus, a doctor and evangelical working in a Kenyan mission hospital, emphasizes the severity of the situation on the ground. He states that Pepfar is being dismantled, leading to potential loss of life. He highlights the consequences of stopping antiretroviral medications, as it can result in the virus reactivating and developing resistance.
The impact of the program has been witnessed firsthand by Loftus, who has seen transformed lives thanks to the provision of HIV treatment. He fears a return to the days when wards were filled with dying patients. The call to save
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/17/hiv-aids-pepfar-christians-trump
