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The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that it is re-evaluating its priorities in light of the impending withdrawal of its largest donor, the United States. The WHO’s chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the organization is “freezing recruitment, except in the most critical areas,” and significantly reducing travel expenditures. In a letter sent to WHO staff on Thursday, which was shared with AFP, Tedros outlined the changes, including the requirement for all meetings to be conducted virtually unless exceptional approval is granted, and limiting technical support missions to the most essential.
The decision follows President Donald Trump’s executive order signed on Monday, which directs the United States to exit the WHO, a move that has sparked significant controversy due to Trump’s repeated criticism of the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This announcement has made our financial situation more acute,” Tedros said in the letter. “We are reviewing which activities to prioritize with a reduced resource envelope.” The WHO has expressed hopes that the new U.S. administration might reconsider the decision, and Tedros emphasized that the organization remains open to dialogue with Washington on preserving the relationship.
The WHO’s Role in Global Health
WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier warned that the U.S. withdrawal could have far-reaching consequences for global health. “It’s a concern for global health—much more for global health than for WHO alone,” Lindmeier said, adding that the agency provides critical information on outbreaks and emerging health threats not just to the U.S., but to all member states.
He highlighted the WHO’s crucial role in the early detection of health threats such as the bird flu outbreak (H5N1) in the United States, which has already claimed one life. “If communication with the U.S. were to stop, it could severely impact global health efforts,” Lindmeier warned.
Financial Impact
The U.S. withdrawal will also deal a significant blow to the WHO’s finances. In its last budget cycle for 2022-23, the United States contributed approximately $1.3 billion, representing over 16% of the WHO’s $7.89 billion budget. Lindmeier also pointed out that Washington had yet to pay approximately $260 million in assessed contributions for 2024 and 2025, which could complicate the organization’s operations even further.
Trump, however, has justified the decision, stating, “World Health ripped us off,” claiming that the U.S. has been paying more than other nations, including China. According to Trump’s executive order, the U.S. pays significantly more than China, which contributes $88 million in annual membership fees for both 2024 and 2025.
Disclaimer:
This article reflects the latest updates from the WHO and statements made by President Donald Trump and his administration. The content is based on publicly available sources, and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the position of the World Health Organization or the United States government.
