Maryknoll Launches PEPFAR Refunding Campaign

Since initiated by President Bush in 2003, PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) has saved 25 million lives and resulted in 5.5 million babies born HIV-free. Though PEPFAR is widely considered a global success in saving lives impacted by HIV/AIDS, neither house of Congress has introduced a bill to reauthorize the program and extend funding past September 30. To encourage action, the Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns will launch a social media campaign on Tuesday, June 13.

The campaign’s social media toolkit provides images and sample language for three days of social media posts as well as images. People who want to take additional steps are invited to organize letters from local faith leaders or send a letter to their Congressional representatives. Organizations are invited to sign a letter to Congress from faith-based groups (the deadline for the form is close of business on Thursday, June 15).

There is concern among advocates that the popular and successful PEPFAR program will get caught in the current political culture of chaos and division, in part because there are many new members of Congress who might be unfamiliar with PEPFAR and its incredible progress towards creating an AIDS-free generation. An unexpected and unfounded allegation that PEPFAR illegally supports abortion further complicates the picture. 

The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns is a collaborative ministry of the Maryknoll Sisters, the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers and the Maryknoll Lay Missioners, all of which are also active members of the United States Catholic Mission Association.