21
Jan
Jan
US SET TO WITHDRAW FROM WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AMID ACCUSATIONS OF MISMANAGEMENT
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Nicolas Adekeye / 3 months
- 0
- 2 min read
The United States is set to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, citing the agency’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises. Trump accused the WHO of failing to act independently from the “inappropriate political influence of WHO member states” and requiring “unfairly onerous payments” from the US that are disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China. “World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump said. The WHO expressed regret over the US decision, with spokesperson Tarik Jasarević stating, “We hope that the United States will reconsider, and we really hope that there will be constructive dialogue for the benefit of everyone, for Americans but also for people around the world.” The US withdrawal will trigger a 12-month notice period, during which the country will stop all financial contributions to the WHO. The US is the WHO’s biggest financial backer, contributing around 18% of its overall funding. The move is likely to put at risk programs tackling tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other health emergencies. Experts warn that the US departure will weaken the WHO and isolate the US when global health challenges demand unity. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the next-largest donor to the WHO, has pledged to continue supporting the agency. Germany, the next-largest state donor, has also expressed hope that the US will reconsider its decision. The US withdrawal from the WHO is not unexpected, as Trump had previously taken steps to quit the body in 2020. However, the move was halted by President Joe Biden on his first day in office. SOURCE: Reuters