Key Points
– The HIV prevalence in Tigray, Ethiopia, has likely doubled from 1.4% to 3% after the war ended in 2022, driven by widespread sexual violence and health system collapse.
– Research suggests up to 10% of women and girls aged 15-49 experienced rape or gang rape during the conflict, contributing to higher HIV rates among survivors (8.6%) and displaced people (5.5%).
– It seems likely that recent U.S. aid cuts, eliminating 83% of USAID programs, have worsened the crisis by laying off 5,000 health workers and halting charity services.
– The evidence leans toward ongoing challenges, with Tigray facing increased cases of malaria, measles, and other diseases, amid political instability and donor hesitancy. Read more…