Deutsche AIDS-Stiftung (DAS) has provided a grant to support the Tajikistan Network of Women Living with HIV, highlighting the importance of community-led initiatives in the fight against HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA). Anne von Fallois, DAS CEO, emphasized the growing challenges in the region, particularly in Ukraine, where both infection rates and funding remain critical concerns.
The HIV epidemic in EECA is worsening, with AIDS-related deaths having risen by 34% since 2010. Only about half of people living with HIV are receiving treatment, and viral suppression is at just 42%, the lowest globally. Many new diagnoses occur late, increasing both transmission risks and mortality. Factors such as war, displacement, economic hardship, and migration are complicating the response, placing added strain on health systems and requiring sustained, coordinated efforts.
Access to HIV services remains fragile across the region. Although antiretroviral therapy is officially free in most countries, many people cannot reach it. Prevention services are limited, with opioid agonist therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis available only to a small fraction of those in need. Key populations continue to face stigma, discrimination, and legal barriers that restrict access to care and prevention.
Both DAS and UNAIDS stress that community-led services are essential for reaching marginalized groups. Sustained government commitment, coordinated investment, and active community engagement are crucial to protect progress, prevent further loss of life, and address the region’s growing HIV crisis. Strengthening partnerships and mobilizing resources, including from the European Union, are vital to ensure the HIV response remains effective amid increasing challenges.
