The US Has Suspended Its Participation in the World Health Organization

The United States will officially withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), despite warnings that this will negatively impact both American and global health, Reuters reports. Furthermore, this action violates US law, which requires Washington to pay $260 million to the UN health agency.

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will exit the organization on his first day in office in 2025. According to US legislation, the country must provide a one-year notice and fulfill the required payments before departing.

A spokesperson for the US State Department stated that the inability of the WHO to maintain, manage, and exchange information has cost the United States trillions of dollars, and the president has exercised his authority to suspend any future transfers of US government funds, support, or resources to the WHO.

“The American people have paid this organization more than enough, and this economic hit exceeds any financial obligation to the organization,” the spokesperson said.

The US withdrawal has created a budget crisis for the WHO, forcing it to cut its management team by half and reduce its workload by slashing agency budgets. Traditionally, Washington has been the largest financial contributor to the UN health agency, providing around 18 percent of its total funding. Additionally, by mid-year, the WHO will also reduce its workforce by about a quarter.