In February 2025, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) published a detailed report titled “Ensuring the HIV Response and Healthcare Stability: From Crisis to Prospective Recovery“, highlighting the current HIV situation in Ukraine amid the ongoing war. The document underscores that despite significant challenges, Ukraine remains committed to fighting HIV by relying on cooperation between the government, civil society, international organizations, and donors. VirusOFF stands in solidarity with UNAIDS colleagues and supports the call for continued international solidarity and financial support to preserve the progress made in the fight against HIV in Ukraine and prevent a new healthcare crisis.
According to the report, since the beginning of the conflict on February 24, 2022, half of Ukraine’s population—approximately 16.3 million people—has been experiencing the chronic effects of war. More than 12.7 million people require humanitarian assistance and protection, while 6.25 million Ukrainians have become refugees in European countries. An additional 3.55 million people remain internally displaced. Furthermore, about 9.2 million citizens will need medical assistance in 2025.
The economic crisis caused by the war has severely impacted healthcare funding, putting access to HIV services at risk. The entire spectrum of HIV services in the country is now fully dependent on external assistance, which is becoming increasingly unstable. In January 2025, the new U.S. administration suspended all foreign aid for 90 days, exacerbating an already difficult situation. Although permission was later granted to continue critical services, uncertainty over future funding remains.
In 2023 and 2024, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) allocated $15.6 million to support Ukraine’s HIV response, of which $11 million was used for antiretroviral therapy, $2 million for rapid tests, and the remaining funds for laboratory expenses. However, a potential halt in funding could leave 92,840 people—78% of all those receiving treatment—without essential therapy. Additionally, supplies of vital medications and prevention tools are running low, and patients are now receiving medication for only three months instead of six.
In response to these challenges, Ukraine’s healthcare system actively seeks alternative funding sources, including reallocating resources from the Global Fund, private sector donations, and pharmaceutical company contributions. However, even combined efforts may not be enough to bridge the potential funding gap if the U.S. withdraws its support completely.
Despite these difficulties, Ukraine demonstrates a steadfast commitment to fighting HIV, relying on a coalition of the government, civil society, international organizations, and donors. The UNAIDS Secretariat, co-sponsors, UN agencies, and member states continue to work together to ensure access to life-saving services for women, people living with HIV, and key populations, strengthening the resilience of the healthcare system even amid war and uncertainty.
As Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Director, Regional Support Eastern Europe and Central Asia, emphasized: “Ukraine has suffered through three years of war. Twelve million people need help. Six million remain displaced. Ukraine is in crisis, and HIV services are at serious risk. The country’s HIV response now fully depends on external funding, but that support is crumbling. This threatens life-saving treatment and prevention services, creating an emergency within an emergency. We must act now to save lives by keeping HIV services running. Ukraine is committed, but commitment alone isn’t enough. It requires funding, solidarity, and action from all of us—governments, partners, and communities.”