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3d ago

WHO Faces Unprecedented Funding Crisis Following U.S. Withdrawal

Budget cuts of 21% and staff reductions are proposed as the organization grapples with a $600 million shortfall in 2025, jeopardizing global health programs.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), talks during a press conference organized by the Geneva Association of United Nations Correspondents (ACANU), at the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday, May 1, 2025. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
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Overview

  • The World Health Organization is experiencing the most severe disruption to global health financing in its history, according to Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
  • The United States, previously contributing 18% of the WHO’s budget, officially withdrew in January 2025, citing dissatisfaction with the agency’s handling of past health crises.
  • A $600 million funding gap in 2025 has led the WHO to propose reducing its 2026-27 budget by 21%, from $5.3 billion to $4.2 billion, alongside significant staff cuts.
  • Critical global health programs, including emergency response efforts, are at risk of being severely impacted by the proposed cuts, particularly in vulnerable regions.
  • WHO leadership is urging member states to replace lost contributions and diversify funding sources, as 80% of the agency’s budget currently depends on a small group of countries.