South Sudan Commemorates World AIDS Day 2024
December 1 marks the 37th World AIDS Day. We remember that in South Sudan an estimated 160,000 people are living with HIV, with their families and communities bearing the burden of the disease. Since 2007, the United States has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of South Sudan in this fight, providing $367 million in HIV relief through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR. This year alone, PEPFAR is investing $42 million to support over 87% of the 63,000 South Sudanese currently on HIV treatment. We continue to engage and support civil society organizations as they advocate for people living with HIV, provide essential services, and promote social inclusion.
To achieve an AIDS-free South Sudan, we urge the transitional government to use public revenue to strengthen the health system by investing in healthcare facilities, training healthcare workers, and ensuring equitable access to quality care.