On Its 20th Anniversary, Reflecting On PEPFAR’s Success In Saving Millions Of Lives In Developing Nations From The Scourge Of HIV/AIDS It’s been 20 years since former President George W. Bush launched the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. To date PEPFAR is the largest commitment ever made by any country to tackle a disease. It has saved millions of lives in developing nations around the globe from the scourge of HIV/AIDS.