Patients and health care advocates said the abrupt decision to halt U.S. funding for a lifesaving H.I.V. program led to widespread confusion. The backtracking didn’t help.

Allies are struggling to save part of their security funding from the 90-day freeze ordered by President Trump, who also paused federal grants and loans inside the U.S.

The life-saving PEPFAR programme is an early casualty of the ‘new world order’ emanating from Washington, with several organisations in South Africa warning recipients they will not be able to continue providing vital services and medication.