The World Health Organization (WHO) is expected to face a significant reduction in expenditure due to the withdrawal of funding from the United States.
According to a memo by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, he said President Donald Trump’s “announcement has made our financial situation more acute.”
The US has been one of the largest contributors to the WHO, providing significant funding for various health programs and initiatives. However, the withdrawal of this funding will necessitate significant cuts to the organization’s budget.
Mr Ghebreyesus added that WHO will be forced to re-prioritise its spending, focusing on essential programs and initiatives while reducing expenditure on non-essential activities. This may include reducing staff, cutting back on travel and training programs, and streamlining operations.
Following Mr Trump’s executive order on US funding withdrawal from WHO, the agency had called for constructive dialogue with America, emphasising the need to preserve their decades-long partnership.
“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has, over the past seven years, implemented the largest set of reforms in its history to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues,” the agency said.
“We hope the United States will reconsider, and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”
