Government Commitment & Advocacy

• President Joseph Nyumah Boakai reaffirmed his administration's commitment to supporting people living with HIV, emphasizing the importance of implementing the Safeguard Policy Exit Roadmap recommendations to the Global Fund by December 2024 to regain confidence and support and pledged timely and necessary assistance to combat HIV.

Impact of Foreign Aid Withdrawal & Mitigation Efforts

• The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) assessed the impact of foreign aid withdrawal and is working on an impact mitigation plan, including prioritization strategies.
• The Ministry of Health (MOH) allocated $300,000 for commodity distribution to minimize disruptions after support from the World Food Programme was suspended. MOH utilized its own resources to prevent service interruptions, assigning staff under its payroll for HIV services to ensure integration and sustainability.

Documented Impact on Services

• FHI360 (USAID-funded): Experienced a suspension but later received a waiver, allowing 26 facilities across four counties to resume case finding, PrEP for key pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, prevention, and referral services. However, prevention services for key populations remain excluded from the waiver.
• JHIEPGO & Global Fund-Supported KP Programs: Community PrEP and above-site support, previously suspended, resumed two weeks ago. Human rights, key and vulnerable populations US-funded (FHI) key populations programs remain ceased, with seven implementing partners canceled, causing significant gaps in HIV prevention services and case finding for key populations.

LGBTIQ+ Context & Rising Tensions

• The introduction of an anti-LGBTIQ+ bill on July 17, 2024, proposing life imprisonment for homosexuality, has created an environment in which it is difficult to deliver HIV testing, prevention and treatment services. The bill, sponsored by Hon. Johnson S. N. Williams, has fueled public hostility and increased risks for LGBTIQ+ individuals.
• A crisis within the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church has further exacerbated anti-LGBTIQ+ sentiments. LGBTIQ+ communities have been sharing PrEP amongst themselves as they await the resumption of services.