GHealth News – The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to cut costs and reassess its health program priorities following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the organization, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters. Trump announced the withdrawal on Monday, the first day of his second term, accusing the WHO of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises.
“This announcement has made our financial situation more acute,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote in the memo dated January 23. The memo outlined cost-saving measures, including significant reductions in travel expenses and a hiring freeze, except for critical areas. A WHO spokesperson confirmed the authenticity of the memo, initially reported by Reuters, but declined to provide additional comments.
On Thursday, the United Nations confirmed that the U.S. is set to formally withdraw from the WHO on January 22, 2026, following a one-year notice period required under a 1948 U.S. Congressional resolution. The resolution also mandates that the U.S. settle its outstanding dues to the organization before exiting. The United States is the WHO’s largest financial contributor, providing approximately 18% of its total funding. The WHO’s current two-year budget (2024–2025) stands at $6.8 billion.
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier stated at a U.N. briefing in Geneva on Friday that the U.S. owes the organization approximately $130 million in unpaid membership fees from January 2024. He noted that such delays are not unusual. Additionally, the U.S. has yet to pay its 2025 membership fee, which is now due. The U.S. also contributes voluntary funds earmarked for specific programs, and these payments could be halted at any time, Lindmeier added.
(Reuters)