SOUTH AFRICA — UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima warned that the United States' decision to withdraw HIV and AIDS funding from South Africa could result in loss of life. She urged the United States to consider a gradual transition in the funding withdrawal.

The US State Department confirmed a phased drawdown of funding from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in South Africa. US officials stated this funding reduction was linked to concerns over South Africa's policies. "Please do not take money away because you are taking lives away," Byanyima said. "Taking it away is taking life-saving support from the most vulnerable people."

The United States previously provided approximately $400 million annually to South Africa through PEPFAR. This funding accounted for about 17% of South Africa's total HIV response funding. South Africa has more than eight million people living with HIV, making it the country with the highest number of people living with HIV in the world.

The South African Health Ministry stated it had not been formally informed of the funding decision. The Ministry also stated it had been working toward greater self-reliance in HIV funding. South Africa does not rely on US funding to purchase antiretroviral medicines, but the US funding supported HIV prevention programs, testing services, and community outreach.

The South African government rejected allegations regarding its policies that were linked to the funding cut. US officials stated the funding cut was partly in response to South Africa's alleged failure to protect the white-minority Afrikaner community. President Donald Trump issued an executive order alleging that South African policies dismantled equal opportunities and fueled violence against racially disfavored landowners.

The South African government disputed the claims made in President Trump's executive order. The government stated its Black Economic Empowerment policy is designed to correct economic inequality resulting from the apartheid era. President Trump also alleged a "white genocide" is taking place in South Africa, an accusation the South African government stated had no evidence to support it.