Recent developments have raised significant concerns about the World Health Organization’s (WHO) stability following the United States’ decision to withdraw support. On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the U.S. departure from the WHO, citing dissatisfaction with the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its financial ties to China. This move is particularly impactful given that the U.S. has historically been the WHO’s largest donor, contributing approximately $988 million, which constitutes about 14% of the agency’s $6.9 billion budget.
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The withdrawal has profound implications for global health initiatives. WHO programs addressing health emergencies, as well as efforts to combat diseases like HIV and tuberculosis, heavily rely on U.S. funding. For instance, the “readiness functions” within WHO’s European office depend on the U.S. contribution for over 80% of their funding. Additionally, U.S. financing supports 95% of WHO’s tuberculosis efforts in Europe and over 60% of TB programs in Africa and at the agency’s headquarters in Geneva.
WHO officials have expressed deep concern over the potential loss of U.S. support, warning that without immediate measures to address the funding gap, the organization could face significant financial challenges by the end of the first or second quarter of 2026. This situation threatens to impair the WHO’s ability to respond effectively to global health crises and could lead to gaps in disease surveillance and emergency responses.
In response, WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called on global leaders to advocate for the U.S. to reconsider its withdrawal decision. He emphasized that reintegrating the U.S. into the WHO is crucial for maintaining global health security and ensuring the continued effectiveness of international health initiatives.
The situation underscores the critical importance of international collaboration and sustained funding in addressing global health challenges. The potential loss of U.S. support poses a significant threat to the WHO’s capacity to coordinate global health responses, potentially leaving millions vulnerable to preventable diseases and health emergencies.
