Humanitarian experts working in the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Zambia, France, Uganda, etc., protested at the Palace of Westminster, London, in solidaritary for the people affected by HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria after the United Kingdom (UK) government announced plans to reduce its Aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of Gross National Income (GNI) by 2027.

Experts warn these cuts will have devastating consequences for communities worldwide. In response, humanitarian experts and activists mobilised to urge UK parliament members and global leaders to support sustained global health funding.

The plan to reduce the aid budget followed the United States Government’s issuance of a halt to nearly all existing foreign assistance and a 90-day pause on new aid, pending a review of efficiencies and consistency with foreign policy.

The UK is a founding member and long-term partner of the Global Fund, which has always been one of the largest public donors to the Global Fund, whose main goal is to end HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and Malaria by strategically investing resources, strengthening health systems, and fostering partnerships to achieve Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

In 2024, the Global Fund saved over 70 million lives from HIV/AIDS, 25 million people on antiretroviral therapy for HIV, and 7.4 million people with TB treated, while 162 insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed. Today, HIV, TB, and Malaria still remain among the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, often called the “Big Three Killers,” causing millions of deaths annually.

Among humanitarian experts from Nigeria were Dr Olayide, Aaron Sunday, and Kayode Teslim Owoso; they joined others to appeal against aid cuts planned by the UK government, which will affect the fight against the deadliest diseases in countries receiving international aid.

They assured that they will continue to engage UK leaders through all forms of Advocacy and call on all recipient countries to develop a long-term strategy to end their reliance on rich nations for quality health.