The announcement by President Donald Trump on January 20 to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised significant concerns across the globe. The decision, encapsulated in an executive order, comes at a time when the U.S. holds the position of WHO's largest donor, contributing approximately $988 million for the 2024-2025 period. This figure represents about 14% of WHO's total budget of $6.9 billion. Health experts and officials fear that this withdrawal will create a substantial gap in funding and critical health information sharing, impacting global health initiatives.
The U.S. plays a pivotal role in funding WHO's tuberculosis work, covering 95% in Europe and over 60% in Africa, the Western Pacific, and WHO's headquarters in Geneva. The exit of such a significant contributor has prompted WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to express concerns about the impact on data and information sharing, which he emphasizes is more crucial than the financial contribution itself.
"The U.S. departure was “not about the money” but more about the “void” in outbreak details and other critical health information that the United States would face in the future." – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
The withdrawal leaves WHO struggling with a budget deficit, as the U.S. has yet to settle its contributions for 2024. This financial shortfall threatens the sustainability of WHO's health emergencies program, which heavily relies on American funding. A budget document presented at a recent meeting highlights this reliance, with “readiness functions” in WHO’s Europe office being more than 80% dependent on the $154 million contributed by the U.S.
"Readiness functions” in WHO’s Europe office were more than 80% reliant on the $154 million the U.S. contributes." – WHO's budget document
WHO's current efforts to curb outbreaks of Marburg virus in Tanzania, Ebola in Uganda, and mpox in Congo may suffer due to this deficit. Furthermore, the withdrawal impacts responses in critical regions such as the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. This situation is compounded by potential losses amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars for polio-eradication and HIV programs.
"The roof is on fire, and we need to stop the fire as soon as possible." – Bjorn Kummel, German envoy
The lack of American involvement may also impede WHO's ability to collect information on emerging global health threats. Experts argue that the U.S. greatly benefits from WHO's work through access to vital information on global disease outbreaks.
"The U.S. is leaving a community of nations. It’s essentially breaking up with you." – Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO emergencies chief
Despite the exit, WHO continues to provide some data to U.S. scientists, though it remains unclear what specific information is being shared.
"We continue to give them information because they need it." – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remains hopeful that the U.S. will reconsider its decision and rejoin the organization. He has urged other countries to play a role in bringing the U.S. back into the fold.
"Bringing the U.S. back will be very important, and on that, I think all of you can play a role." – Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
WHO's executive board is set to discuss these budgetary concerns during its latest session, which commenced on Monday and will continue through February 11. The discussions are expected to address how WHO can manage its funding without American contributions.
This financial strain could lead to a precarious situation for WHO if spending continues at its current rate, as indicated by George Kyriacou, WHO's finance director.
"If the agency spends at its current rate, it will be in a “hand-to-mouth” situation by the first half of 2026." – George Kyriacou, WHO Finance Director
Dr. Kavanagh, director of Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Policy and Politics, emphasizes that while the full impact of this withdrawal remains uncertain, it could have severe consequences for global health collaboration.
"How much worse remains to be seen." – Kavanagh, director of Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Policy and Politics
