WHO financial shake-up follows us withdrawal decision
The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to cut spending following the USA's decision to withdraw from the organisation, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced.
Agence Reuters has obtained an internal WHO memo in which the organisation's chief, Ghebreyesus, emphasised the need to reassess programme priorities. "This announcement has made our financial situation more acute," Tedros stated in the document.
As part of cost-cutting measures, the WHO plans to halt the recruitment of new staff and significantly reduce travel expenses. This decision is a direct response to the USA's withdrawal, as it was the organisation's largest sponsor, accounting for 18% of its funds. In 2022-2023, the United States contributed over $1.2 (£1) billion to the WHO budget.
Criticism from the USA
President Donald Trump, shortly after his inauguration, signed an executive order for the United States to withdraw from the WHO, which is set to take effect on 22 January 2026. Trump accused the organisation of inefficiency in handling the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health crises. The US President also criticised the "unfair burdensome payments" required from the USA, which were disproportionate compared to other large member countries, such as China.
According to WHO data, after the USA, the organisation's largest sponsor is Germany, which contributed $856 (£690) million in 2022-2023. China, being the world's second-largest economy, added just over $156 (£126) million. The USA's decision to withdraw from the WHO places the organisation in a difficult financial situation, forcing a rethinking of strategies and priorities for the future.
