One of the things that President Trump has done since being sworn in was withdrawing funding from a number of international organizations. UNRWA was one. The WHO is another, and they’re big mad about it. So mad they released a statement about being mad:
WHO comments on United States announcement of intent to withdraw
The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.
WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.
The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHO’s work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board.
For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO.
With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues.
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.
Would you like to know why they’re mad? Because the grift is over.
In 2022-23 the budget for the WHO was $5.831 billion. The US provided $1.284 billion of that total, or more than 22% of all funding. That makes the US the largest contributor to the WHO.
It’s time for the WHO, and a lot of other agencies, to start looking elsewhere for their funding. The piggy bank that is the US is now closed.
