WHO to Reduce Expenses and Focus on Health Initiatives Following U.S. Withdrawal Announcement
The World Health Organization intends to implement cost-saving strategies and prioritize programs in response to the U.S. announcement of its planned exit in 2026.
The World Health Organization (WHO) plans to introduce cost-cutting strategies and reevaluate its priorities in response to the United States' decision to withdraw from the organization.
This decision follows U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on January 23, 2023, accusing the WHO of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health issues.
In an internal memo, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus informed staff about the financial impact of the U.S. withdrawal.
The U.S. is the WHO's largest financial contributor, providing about 18% of its funding. The withdrawal will officially take effect in January 2026, after a one-year notice period as stipulated by a 1948 U.S. congressional resolution.
Currently, the U.S. owes approximately $130 million in membership dues, which were due in January 2024. Moreover, the 2025 payment remains unpaid, raising concerns about the potential cessation of voluntary contributions designated for specific programs. To address the financial pressure, the WHO intends to cut travel expenses, suspend non-essential hiring, and adopt additional cost-saving tactics, such as holding meetings virtually as a default, limiting IT equipment replacements, and postponing office renovations unless they are safety-critical or pre-approved. Despite these financial hurdles, the WHO has been working on reforms to its funding model, with member states increasing their contributions and joining an investment drive initiated in 2023. However, the organization acknowledges the need for further funding and might introduce additional cost-cutting measures.
The WHO is dedicated to supporting its staff during this time of financial transition.
This decision follows U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on January 23, 2023, accusing the WHO of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health issues.
In an internal memo, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus informed staff about the financial impact of the U.S. withdrawal.
The U.S. is the WHO's largest financial contributor, providing about 18% of its funding. The withdrawal will officially take effect in January 2026, after a one-year notice period as stipulated by a 1948 U.S. congressional resolution.
Currently, the U.S. owes approximately $130 million in membership dues, which were due in January 2024. Moreover, the 2025 payment remains unpaid, raising concerns about the potential cessation of voluntary contributions designated for specific programs. To address the financial pressure, the WHO intends to cut travel expenses, suspend non-essential hiring, and adopt additional cost-saving tactics, such as holding meetings virtually as a default, limiting IT equipment replacements, and postponing office renovations unless they are safety-critical or pre-approved. Despite these financial hurdles, the WHO has been working on reforms to its funding model, with member states increasing their contributions and joining an investment drive initiated in 2023. However, the organization acknowledges the need for further funding and might introduce additional cost-cutting measures.
The WHO is dedicated to supporting its staff during this time of financial transition.