WHO faces fiscal challenges as U.S. pulls crucial funding
The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to cut expenditures following the United States' decision to withdraw from the organization, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced.
Reuters obtained an internal WHO memo in which the organization's head, Ghebreyesus, emphasized the need to reassess program priorities. "This announcement has made our financial situation more acute," Tedros stated in the document.
As part of cost-cutting measures, WHO plans to halt the hiring of new staff and significantly reduce travel expenses. This decision is a direct response to the U.S. withdrawal, as it was the largest sponsor of the organization, accounting for 18 percent of its funds. In 2022-2023, the United States contributed over 1.2 billion dollars (1.7 billion Canadian dollars) to the WHO budget.
Criticism from the USA
President Donald Trump, immediately after being sworn in, signed an executive order for the United States to withdraw from the WHO, which is set to take effect on January 22, 2026. Trump accused the organization of inefficiency in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health crises. The new U.S. president also criticized the "unfair" burdensome payments required from the U.S., which were disproportionate compared to other major member countries, such as China.
According to WHO data, after the U.S., the largest sponsor of the organization is Germany, which contributed 856 million dollars (1.2 billion Canadian dollars) in 2022-2023. China, the world's second-largest economy, contributed just over 156 million dollars (223 million Canadian dollars). The U.S.'s decision to withdraw from the WHO puts the organization in a difficult financial position, necessitating a reconsideration of strategies and priorities for the future.
