What will WHO do after the US withdrawal announcement?

(CLO) The World Health Organization (WHO) is planning to cut costs and reassess priority health programs after President Donald Trump announced the US withdrawal from the organization.

In an internal memo on January 23, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern about the organization's finances, saying the US announcement made the WHO's financial challenges more urgent.

Mr Tedros said WHO would implement cost-saving measures such as cutting travel costs, freezing recruitment for all but essential positions and converting meetings to online formats to minimize costs.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Photo: Facebook/DrTedros.Official

Earlier on his first day in office for his second term as President on January 20, Mr. Trump decided to withdraw the United States from the WHO. He criticized the organization's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises.

The United Nations confirmed that the US will officially withdraw from the WHO on January 22, 2026. As the largest donor, the US contributes about 18% of the WHO's budget. In the period 2024 - 2025, the organization's budget will reach 6.8 billion USD.

The memorandum also noted that WHO has been working on reforms, including increasing mandatory contributions from member states and launching a new round of investment.

However, additional funding is still needed and the organization will continue to cut costs, such as limiting IT equipment replacement and suspending office renovation projects, unless there are approved safety or cost-saving reasons.

“This set of measures is not comprehensive and more will be announced in the coming days,” the memo said, adding that WHO would do everything possible to support and protect staff in difficult circumstances.

Hoai Phuong (according to WHO, Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/who-se-phai-lam-gi-sau-tuyen-bo-rut-lui-cua-my-post331860.html