INPUD

04/06/2026

INPUD and INHSU are proud to announce this years recipients of the 2026 Jude Byrne Emerging Female Leader Award: Yarelix Estrada and Rita Musa!

A panel of women working across harm reduction and drug use health, including women who use drugs, selected Yarelix and Rita out of a pool of 37 submissions from around the world. As this year's recipients, they will now embark on a nine-month personalized mentorship program delivered by INPUD, and will receive a full scholarship to attend the INHSU 2026 conference in Prague.

Read more about Yarelix and Rita below:

Introducing the 2026 Jude Byrne Emerging Female Leader Award Winners

30/05/2026

🕯️In Memory of Nini Pakma

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Nini Pakma, a cherished friend, advocate, and leader whose life and work touched countless people across our global community.

Nini was more than an activist; she was a force for dignity, justice, and compassion. Through her unwavering commitment to the rights and health of people who use drugs, she helped build stronger communities, challenged stigma and discrimination, and inspired others to believe that change was possible even in the face of immense obstacles.

Her advocacy was rooted in lived experience, courage, and deep care for others. She understood that behind every policy, every statistic, and every debate were real people whose lives mattered. Throughout her years of work, Nini stood alongside those too often pushed to the margins, ensuring their voices were heard and their humanity recognized.

Within the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD) and the broader global movement, Nini was respected not only for her dedication and wisdom but also for her warmth, generosity, and ability to bring people together. She mentored emerging advocates, strengthened networks across borders, and reminded us that solidarity is built through kindness as much as through struggle.

The loss of Nini is deeply felt by friends, colleagues, and communities around the world. While we mourn her passing, we also celebrate a life lived with purpose, courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

Her legacy lives on in the Indian Drug Users Forum (IDUF), Indian Harm Reduction Network, ANPUD, NAPUD, the movements of people and women who use drugs in Asia and globally, she helped strengthen, the people she empowered, and the countless lives she touched. We will remember her not only for what she achieved, but for who she was: a compassionate leader, a trusted friend, and a tireless champion for the rights and dignity of people who use drugs.

On behalf of INPUD, we extend our deepest condolences to Nini’s family, loved ones, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.

May she rest in peace, and may her memory continue to inspire us in the work that lies ahead.

22/05/2026

The Human Costs of Funding Cuts on Harm Reduction 2.0 survey is now live. We're documenting how funding cuts, donor withdrawal, and policy shifts are affecting harm reduction services, HIV/hepatitis care, and the rights of people who use drugs.

If you're part of a community-led organisation, network, or service provider, we need to hear from you. 15–20 minutes.
Anonymous.

Available in 5 languages.
Complete the survey 👉 https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/XmAkLdWJ

22/05/2026

🔴 Tu voz importa. Una encuesta global que documenta cómo los recortes de fondos están afectando los servicios de reducción de daños, la atención de VIH/hepatitis y los derechos de las personas que consumen dr**as. Anónima, 15–20 min, disponible en 5 idiomas. Cierra el 18 de mayo.

Responde aquí 👉 https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/XmAkLdWJ

22/05/2026

19/05/2026

Funding is being cut. Services are closing. Lives are at risk.

And the world needs to hear it from YOU.

Thank you to the over 120 people who have already shared their reality through the Human Costs of Funding Cuts on Harm Reduction Global Survey 2.0. But we need more voices.

Due to popular demand, the deadline has been extended to May 22. This is your chance to put your experience on record.

15 minutes. Anonymous. Available in English, Spanish, French, Russian, and Arabic.

Complete the survey for a chance to win USD $100 (5 winners).

👉 Take the survey now: https://ee-eu.kobotoolbox.org/x/XmAkLdWJ

Your voice is evidence. Don't let it go unheard.

Please share widely.

15/05/2026

💥 Yesterday, the Multistakeholder Hearings for the 2026 UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS concluded.

We are sharing the full intervention delivered by Anton Basenko, Executive Director of INPUD, speaking as a person who uses drugs and lives with HIV, calling for decriminalization, harm reduction, community leadership, and protection of civic space.

As Anton reminded Member States: “The HIV response cannot succeed while governments continue to criminalize the very communities most affected by HIV”. (🎥 The full video of Anton’s intervention is available here (starting at 0:34:15): https://lnkd.in/g_kjt_2y)

❗️At the same time, a kind reminder that the HLM HIV/AIDS Advocacy Week has now started and will run from 15–19 May. This is a critical moment for communities and allies to mobilize ahead of the 2026 Political Declaration negotiations. Here you can find what and how is important to advocate:https://unaidspcbngo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Draft-Advocacy-Brief-for-Comm-Ahead-of-HLM.pdf

Nothing about us without us.

14/05/2026

🚨 HLM HIV/AIDS 2026 Advocacy Week starts tomorrow — 15–19 May!

Today, communities are already speaking directly at the UN Multistakeholder Hearing (MSH) at UN Headquarters in New York as part of the lead-up to the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS 2026.

🗣️ Anton Basenko, Executive Director of INPUD and member of the Multistakeholder Task Force (MSTF), will speak in Panel 3 in approximately one hour.

🗣️ Rita Gatonye from INWUD will also speak later today during Panel 4.

📺 Watch the hearing live on UN Web TV:
https://webtv.un.org/en

📄 UN Multistakeholder Hearing Programme
https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/msh_2026_concept_note_and_programme_approved_by_opga_27_apr_2026.pdf

Starting tomorrow, the MSTF launches Advocacy Week for communities and civil society ahead of the HLM HIV/AIDS 2026 taking place on 22–23 June in New York.

A new Advocacy Brief has been developed to support coordinated advocacy around:
✊ Human rights
✊ Decriminalization
✊ Harm reduction
✊ Community leadership
✊ Sustainable financing
✊ Ending inequalities and stigma

📄 Read the Advocacy Brief for Communities and Civil Society Ahead of HLM 2026:
https://unaidspcbngo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Draft-Advocacy-Brief-for-Comm-Ahead-of-HLM.pdf

One of the key upcoming moments will be the release of the Zero Draft of the new Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS — the main outcome document to be negotiated ahead of the June HLM.

Communities must push hard to ensure the declaration includes meaningful commitments on decriminalization, harm reduction, community-led responses, and protection of human rights.

At the same time, advocacy should always reflect local realities. Communities and activists can and should adapt messages, tools, and strategies according to their own country, HIV, and drug policy contexts.

Are you planning to attend the HLM in New York as part of an official delegation, civil society delegation, speaker, observer, or in another role?

Anton Basenko is available to support community advocates engaging in the process and answer questions related to participation, advocacy, and coordination.

14/05/2026

Happening today!

Happening tomorrow! 🔔
The Multi-Stakeholder Hearing for the will bring together civil society, communities & partners to help shape priorities for the new Political Declaration on AIDS.

Watch it LIVE on UNAIDS website & UN Web TV

🗓️ 14 May 2026
⏰ 10-1pm & 3-6pm EDT