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The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on global health officials to persuade the United States to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the U.N. health agency under President Donald Trump’s administration.
During a critical budget meeting on Wednesday, several countries expressed concerns over the potential consequences of losing WHO’s largest financial contributor. Internal documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal the extent of the impact that U.S. funding cuts could have on global health initiatives.
For the 2024-2025 period, the United States is expected to contribute approximately $988 million—roughly 14% of WHO’s total budget of $6.9 billion. The documents indicate that the organization’s emergency response programs are heavily reliant on these funds, particularly in regions facing ongoing crises.
According to a confidential report shared at the meeting, WHO’s European office depends on U.S. funding for over 80% of its emergency preparedness operations, while up to 40% of its overall emergency response funding comes from the U.S. The report also warned that crucial health programs in conflict zones such as Ukraine, Sudan, and the Middle East could suffer, along with efforts to combat polio, HIV, and tuberculosis.
Notably, U.S. funding accounts for 95% of WHO’s tuberculosis initiatives in Europe and over 60% of similar programs in Africa and the Western Pacific. The withdrawal, therefore, poses a significant threat to the global fight against infectious diseases.
A Blow to International Health Cooperation
Michael Ryan, WHO’s Deputy Director-General, emphasized that the U.S. decision is not just about leaving an international organization but about severing ties with a global network of nations.
“The U.S. government is not simply walking away from a building in Geneva or a bureaucratic secretariat. It is stepping away from a community of nations,” Ryan stated.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of diplomatic efforts to encourage the U.S. to reconsider its departure. He urged member states to take an active role in facilitating its return, noting that “every nation here can contribute to that effort.”
Financial and Public Health Implications
The financial ramifications of the U.S. withdrawal are already being felt. Mathew Kavanagh, a global health policy expert, warned that WHO faces dire consequences if alternative funding sources are not secured soon.
“The financial hit will be severe. If the world doesn’t step up to close the funding gap, WHO will suffer significant damage,” Kavanagh cautioned.
In a closed-door session, WHO officials privately warned that the U.S. would lose privileged access to critical information on global disease outbreaks, which could compromise its own national security and public health preparedness.
During a separate financial discussion last Wednesday, WHO’s finance director, George Kyriacou, raised concerns that the agency could face serious cash flow problems by early 2026 if spending continues at current levels. In a recording obtained by the AP, Kyriacou stressed that WHO must adjust its financial strategy, as attempts to recover previously allocated U.S. funds have largely been unsuccessful.
Adding to the uncertainty, the U.S. has not yet fulfilled its financial commitments to WHO for 2024, further exacerbating the agency’s budget shortfall.
Trump’s Justification and WHO’s Response
President Trump justified the withdrawal by accusing WHO of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic and failing to implement meaningful reforms. The executive order formalizing the U.S. departure was signed on January 20—Trump’s first day back in office.
Tedros responded by reiterating that WHO had sounded early warnings about COVID-19 in January 2020 and had since undertaken significant reforms, including diversifying its donor base.
“We have worked tirelessly to strengthen WHO’s structure and accountability. Reintegration of the U.S. will be crucial, and we must all work toward making that happen,” Tedros stated.
Representatives from several countries, including Bangladesh and France, questioned WHO officials on how they plan to compensate for the loss of U.S. funding and which health programs might face budget reductions.
A leaked WHO document suggests that some major departments could experience funding cuts of up to 50% by the end of the year. However, the organization has not publicly confirmed whether Tedros has explicitly urged nations to intervene on its behalf.
While the U.S. withdrawal presents a significant challenge, some experts believe it could also be an opportunity for WHO to reevaluate its funding model and strengthen global health collaborations beyond reliance on a single major donor.
For now, the uncertainty surrounding WHO’s financial future remains a pressing concern, as the agency continues to respond to outbreaks of the Marburg virus in Tanzania, Ebola in Uganda, and mpox in the Congo—all while grappling with the potential fallout from the loss of U.S. support.
