Global Cuts Threaten Progress in the Fight Against HIV

For World AIDS Day 2025 on 1 December, the World AIDS Day Working Group Wuppertal warns of an impending global health crisis.
The decision of the US government to discontinue funding for USAID threatens fundamental progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS. As a result, international projects and programmes are at risk—initiatives that for decades have enabled millions of people to access life-saving antiretroviral therapy.

“HIV knows no borders. And AIDS is still not curable,” says Susann Heichel of Aidshilfe Wuppertal. “If fewer people worldwide have access to medication and education, it could ultimately affect us all.” Germany also benefits indirectly from global health initiatives: they prevent new chains of infection, stabilise societies and strengthen international cooperation in the health sector.

VEM: Decades of commitment against HIV and AIDS – locally and globally

For many years, the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) has been a core member of the World AIDS Day Working Group Wuppertal, in which regional institutions work together to promote awareness, prevention and solidarity. Close cooperation with Aidshilfe Wuppertal, youth and education organisations, and church institutions has helped keep HIV visible in the city – despite declining public attention.

UEM contributes not only local expertise but also its international perspective: in numerous member churches across Africa and Asia, HIV programmes provide access to medical care, diaconal support and comprehensive educational work. UEM has continually brought this global experience into activities in Wuppertal, whether through educational materials, contributions to events or by inviting speakers from its member churches.

World AIDS Day 2025: Raising awareness!

“We must not allow decades of achievements to be jeopardised by political decisions in the United States and diminishing attention here at home,” emphasises Daniel Viebach of Aidshilfe Wuppertal.

The World AIDS Day Working Group Wuppertal therefore wishes once again to underline that HIV remains a topic that requires continued commitment. Through interactive activities and educational offers, the aim is to reach young people in particular, whose awareness of the issue has noticeably declined in recent years.

Showing solidarity: Donations for the “Tumaini” project and Aidshilfe Wuppertal

In the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the humanitarian crisis has worsened since the beginning of the year: millions of people are displaced, many without access to medical care or education. People living with HIV/AIDS are especially affected, facing additional discrimination in this situation of emergency.

Here, the Baptist Church in Central Africa (CBCA), an UEM member church, provides life-saving support. TUMAINI (“hope” in Swahili) protects particularly vulnerable groups and currently accompanies around 1,500 people, primarily women living with HIV.

You can support AIDS projects and programmes via the Aidshilfe Wuppertal website. Your donation for World AIDS Day 2025 supports the work of Aidshilfe Wuppertal e.V. and projects such as TUMAINI in the DR Congo.

Further information—including a joint statement on YouTube showing impressions from the TUMAINI project, as well as current event details—can be found online at:
https://aidshilfe-wuppertal.de/de/leben-mit-hiv/welt-aids-tag

UEM invites everyone to take part in the activities and to join in sending a message of solidarity, diversity and health – in Wuppertal and around the world.