WCC NEWS: WCC stands in solidarity with people living with HIV as resources evaporate

During a leadership summit held 9-11 April in Nairobi, Kenya, the World Council of Churches (WCC) offered a listening ear, accurate information, and a sense of solidarity for people living with HIV, who are facing a sudden lack of resources. Meeting of the Global Network of People Living with HIV in Nairobi, April 2025. Photo: Mark Musyimi/NEPHAK 16 April 2025 “We know, in moments like this, the faith community has to be with people living with HIV,” said Gracia Violeta Ross, WCC programme executive for HIV, Reproductive Health, and Pandemics. The summit drew more than 40 network leaders of people living with HIV from 18 countries to brainstorm new strategies for HIV response following the recent US foreign funding shift. Congregating under the Global Network of People Living with HIV, the leaders sought to build urgent and mid-term key priorities for people living with HIV. Their dialogue was particularly key during the development of national HIV response sustainability roadmaps, and the processes to develop a new Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031. Those present at the summit vowed to defend access to lifesaving treatment and protect hard-won gains, following sharp cuts to US foreign aid that threaten the global HIV response. US president Donald Trump in January announced the funding freeze, which severely impacted global AIDS response efforts led by the United States Agency for International Development. The meeting was urgently convened by the Global Network of People Living with HIV in partnership with the National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Kenya, to rally global HIV voices and protect progress. Kenya has made significant strides in the fight against HIV, reducing AIDS-related deaths by 68 percent to 18,473 in 2022 from 58,446 in 2013, thanks to an increased number of people on antiretroviral treatment. Data from the Ministry of Health shows 1.37 million Kenyans are living with HIV, with 67,869 of these accounting for children below the age of 14. Some of the steps under consideration include mobilizing domestic resources, integrating HIV services into primary healthcare, and safeguarding prevention and community health systems programs from neglect or political shifts. Not waiting to be saved Summit participant Allan Nyamari, a young delegate, reflected that, in a world shaken by intersecting crises, the leadership of people living with HIV is not just symbolic—it is revolutionary. “We bring lived truth, resilience, and urgency that can’t be theorised,” said Nyamari. “We are not waiting to be saved; we are leading the way to justice, dignity, and accountability.” Faith communities must shift from charity to solidarity, Nyamari urged. “Even with limited resources, they have limitless influence—through their pulpits, prayers, and presence,” said Nyamari. “When they speak up with compassion and stand with us, they help dismantle stigma and build hope where systems fail.” Faith communities hold the power of being able to influence legislators to prioritise strengthening health systems and increase the budgets for healthcare in their respective countries, noted Emmanuel Barare, an advisor to the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing.  “The faith community can also come together to pull resources towards the response in a way that is able to cushion the most affected countries,” said Barare. Elizabeth Oluchi, also an advisor to the commission, encouraged people to engage meaningfully, especially at the community level, through capacity building. “This is a way of ensuring the reduction of stigma and giving support,” she said. “Faith communities must keep educating and creating awareness by giving the right information to members because there's still lots of misinformation and misconceptions about HIV even now.” Faith leaders should provide support and care, and also advocate for the rights of people living with HIV, she added. “Mobilisation of funds and resources is also very important, and that can be achieved through partnerships with other institutions.” Canon Gideon Byamugisha, a pioneer in HIV and faith work living with HIV, said faith communities must be and do their best to deepen the work to protect children and young people, eradicate stigma and discrimination, provide scriptural reading based on life-giving theologies, and support resource mobilization for a sustainable response to HIV independent of the international cooperation. The Global Network of People Living with HIV is dedicated to ensuring a world where all people living with HIV have access to a healthy, dignified life, free from stigma and discrimination. With the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat nearing, the urgency to address the persistent gaps in the HIV response is critical now more than ever. See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland