WHO declares significant reductions as US departure looms – reports

Washington, the primary financial supporter, plans to withdraw from the UN public health agency within a year, following an executive order from President Donald Trump. Read Full Article at RT.com

WHO declares significant reductions as US departure looms – reports
Washington is set to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) within a year, following President Donald Trump’s recent executive order.

In anticipation of the US exit, which constitutes its largest source of funding, the WHO has announced a series of budget cuts, as reported by Reuters and PMG. President Trump signed the executive order on Monday, indicating that the US will leave the UN global public health agency within the next 12 months.

“This announcement has made our financial situation more acute, and we know it has created significant concern and uncertainty for the WHO workforce,” stated Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in an email to staff on Thursday, according to PMG.

The WHO functions as a leading authority on global health matters, relying heavily on contributions from member states. The US is the organization’s largest supporter, contributing 18% of its overall funding. The WHO's budget for the 2024-2025 period is set at $6.8 billion.

To address the expected financial challenges, the WHO is “freezing recruitment, except in the most critical areas” and “significantly reducing travel expenditure,” the internal document indicates. All meetings will now be required to take place virtually unless absolutely necessary, and international missions will be “limited to the most essential.”

Additional cost-cutting measures will include restrictions on replacing IT equipment, renegotiating major contracts, and suspending office refurbishments and capital investments unless required for security or financial savings.

A WHO spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the memo but refrained from providing further comments to Reuters.

Trump’s executive order highlighted that the US is withdrawing due to the WHO’s “mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic,” its “failure” to implement necessary reforms, and the disproportionate financial obligations placed on the US.

Public health experts have characterized Trump’s decision as a “mistake,” warning that it could compromise national safety and put Americans at a disadvantage.

In 2020, Trump initiated steps for the US to exit the WHO, alleging that the organization had aided China in efforts to “mislead the world” regarding the origins of Covid-19. However, the withdrawal was reversed by his successor, Joe Biden, on Biden’s inauguration day, owing to the one-year notice requirement.

Since the WHO’s establishment in 1948, the US has been a member, and its withdrawal would leave the nation as the only major power not part of the 194-member organization.

The internal memo indicated that the Geneva-based organization has already begun reforming its funding mechanisms. According to Reuters, member states have started to increase their mandatory contributions and are participating in the current investment round.

The memo also noted that the proposed cost-saving measures were not exhaustive, stating that “more will be announced in due course.”

Lucas Dupont for TROIB News