Country Singers’ Warning Cry
- NASHVILLE,Tenn.(AP) — A group of about 20 country music artists has signed an open letter to Congress,appealing for the continued funding of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS...
- The musicians, including Brad Paisley, maren Morris and Sheryl Crow, argue that PEPFAR is crucial to ending the global HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030.
- In a letter published Sunday, March 30, in The Tennessean, the artists stated, "America, did you no that you were the first country to save the lives of...
Country Music Stars Urge Congress to Continue AIDS Funding
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NASHVILLE,Tenn.(AP) — A group of about 20 country music artists has signed an open letter to Congress,appealing for the continued funding of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The letter comes after a temporary suspension of foreign aid programs ordered in January.
The musicians, including Brad Paisley, maren Morris and Sheryl Crow, argue that PEPFAR is crucial to ending the global HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. The program, established in 2003 under President George W.Bush, provides antiretroviral treatments to more than 20 million people, primarily in sub-saharan Africa.
In a letter published Sunday, March 30, in The Tennessean, the artists stated, “America, did you no that you were the first country to save the lives of 26 million people from HIV/AIDS worldwide? It is indeed thanks to a program called Pepfar.”
Funding freeze Threatens Progress
The artists are advocating for the program’s continuation following a 90-day suspension of nearly all U.S. foreign aid programs initiated in January. They emphasize that PEPFAR has been instrumental in combating the disease and that halting its funding could have devastating consequences.
“We are on track to put an end to the AIDS epidemic by 2030,” the letter stated.
UN Agency Warns of Potential Crisis
Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAIDS, warned that a lapse in U.S. funding could trigger a resurgence of the AIDS pandemic. Speaking on March 24, byanyima said the funding cuts would have a “devastating impact,” according to AFP.
The UN agency estimates that without continued U.S. assistance, there could be an additional 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths in the next four years.
“People will not receive their drugs. The virus will bounce back. Infections will multiply. Millions of people will die,” the country music artists warned.
Call for Bipartisan Support
The musicians hope their appeal will encourage lawmakers to look beyond political divides and support a program with a proven track record in global public health. they stress the importance of sustained investment in PEPFAR for reasons of national security, economics, and public health.
Country Music Stars Urge Congress to Continue AIDS Funding: A Q&A Guide
Why are Country Music Stars Speaking Out About AIDS Funding?
A group of approximately 20 country music artists has signed an open letter to Congress, advocating for the continued funding of the president’s emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This appeal comes in response to a temporary suspension of U.S. foreign aid programs.
What is PEPFAR?
PEPFAR, established in 2003 under President George W. Bush, is the U.S.