The US foreign aid overhaul has led to a resurgence of child-headed households and orphans in Zambia, where 25 newly orphaned children are currently being cared for by Pastor Billy, a community leader. The aid cuts have disrupted HIV treatment programs, causing the deaths of both parents of a 17-year-old boy, Joseph, and his 15-year-old brother and 12-year-old brother, who are now struggling to access HIV medication and care for themselves. The US government claims that funding has not decreased, but reports from Zambia suggest that thousands of HIV-positive people have lost access to treatment, exacerbating the crisis.
Original Article Source Link:
https://www.npr.org/2026/06/18/g-s1-128583/hiv-orphans-child-headed-family