Immediate Risks and Disruptions

• Termination of CSO Funding: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) received termination letters on 27 February, leading to significant disruptions in HIV services.
• Service Disruptions: The closure of drop-in centers for key populations has disrupted HIV testing, treatment, care, and support services. There are challenges in referring clients to government facilities, as service providers are no longer working, and there has been no proper handover of client files.
• Confusion Among Clients: The lack of reliable information and guidance has led to confusion and reluctance among clients to access services at other health facilities.

Politically Relevant Updates

• Government Response: The Ministry of Health has assured clients of continued access to ART services and encouraged CSOs to refer clients to government facilities. A task team, including the Ministry of Health, NAHPA, CSOs, and UN agencies (represented by UNAIDS), has been established to monitor the impact of the stop work order.
• EU Budget Cuts: While the EU ambassador confirmed drastic budget cuts in development financing, they pledged to fulfill their HIV commitments up to 2027. However, these funds will not bridge the gap left by the US Governement funding cuts.

Community Impacts

• Civil Society Resilience: Despite the challenges, CSOs have shown resilience by conducting rapid surveys to assess the impact of the stop work order. They are part of a multi-stakeholder task team and are actively participating in platforms facilitated by UNAIDS to discuss implications and share updates.
• UN Support: UNAIDS has been proactive in convening meetings with CSOs and facilitating discussions on the way forward. The UN country team and JUTA have been collectively discussing the implications, although there is still limited information on the next steps.