Matilda Omonaiye/
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is bracing for a severe financial crisis as it prepares to lose the United States, its largest contributor, following President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agency.
The U.S., which has historically funded nearly 18% of the WHO’s budget, formalised its exit at the start of Trump’s second term, leaving the organisation scrambling to cut costs and prioritisse essential health programmes.
In an internal memo obtained by Reuters, WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, detailed the agency’s immediate steps to offset the looming shortfall. These include halting non-essential hiring, reducing travel expenses, and moving meetings to virtual platforms.
“We must adapt swiftly to ensure continuity in our critical global health initiatives,” Tedros stated, emphasising the urgency of reforming the agency’s funding model by increasing mandatory contributions from member states.
The financial gap, however, threatens to weaken the WHO’s ability to manage global health emergencies, especially in resource-constrained regions. African nations, in particular, are heavily reliant on U.S.-funded WHO programs for combating diseases and strengthening public health systems.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that reduced funding could jeopardise critical health initiatives on the continent, urging governments to explore alternative sources of support.
The U.S. withdrawal, set to take full effect on January 22, 2026, comes at a critical juncture for the WHO as it navigates multiple global health crises.
Tedros acknowledged that while immediate cost-cutting measures may stabilise operations temporarily, long-term sustainability will require significant adjustments. “This is a defining moment for the WHO and global health governance,” he said.
As the agency reviews its programmes to determine which to prioritise, concerns are mounting over its capacity to respond effectively to future pandemics and health emergencies without the financial backing of its largest donor.
The ripple effects of the U.S. exit underscore the urgent need for stronger international solidarity to safeguard global public health systems.
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