As the AIDS pandemic continues to grow relentlessly, the funds required to combat its effects are dwindling due to the onset of economic difficulties. Not only are new sources of funding insufficient, but money that was previously expected is also being put on hold, leaving AIDS foundations in dire need.

According to AIDS statistics published in November 2009, 31.1 million to 35.8 million people in the world are living with AIDS. People newly infected with AIDS in the year 2008 numbered 2.7 million, almost half a million of which were children. AIDS-related deaths were estimated at 2 million.

The two main sources for funding towards AIDS related efforts are traditionally supposed to be the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. PEPFAR has already been authorized by the US Congress to spend up to $48 billion by 2014; however, representatives from the program have already warned grant recipients not to expect disbursements for the next two years at least. As for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, they have been experiencing a drop in donations. They received an astounding $3 billion less than what was expected for the aid of the three diseases combined. For AIDS alone, funding was cut down by an average of 12 percent for grants involving prevention and treatment.

Philanthropy as a whole has been experiencing a steep and noticeable decline in Western countries, while China and South Korea are donating more and more to charity. Recently, Yu Pengnian, an 88-year-old Chinese real estate tycoon, donated his entire fortune of $1.2 billion to a foundation for poverty and cataract operations.

If left unresolved, this drop could progress into a downward spiral where lack of prevention and education will lead to a greater need for funding amidst the further spread of the disease.

View a previously written post by Mouli Cohen about funding.