UK cuts aid to fight AIDS and malaria, other countries reduce commitments

Britain has announced that it will contribute an estimated €960 million to the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, fifteen per cent less than in the previous funding period. This decision reflects a broader trend among traditional donors to adjust budgets for rising defence spending.

London claims that the new contribution for 2026 to 2028 could help save up to 1.3 million lives and prevent 22 million infections, despite the reduction. Yet the 2023 to 2025 contribution was already a third lower than the previous period.

The Global Fund, which is seeking to raise €15.5 billion over the next three years, says the money will help save 23 million lives and bring the world closer to ending three deadly infectious diseases in that period.

However, it faces difficult conditions for receiving support. Several large donors, including Germany, which has reduced its contribution to EUR 1 billion, are adjusting their pledges.

Indeed, the United States, under the leadership of Donald Trump, is putting pressure on Europe to increase its own defence spending, which is affecting aid budgets.

(reuters, max)