The World Health Organisation says it regrets Trump's decision to leave the agency. The US is the largest contributor to the WHO's budget, and there are concerns that the withdrawal may affect the organization's ability to implement global health programs. Our correspondent Julia Lyubova reports from Geneva.
On his first day in the White House, President Donald Trump ordered the US withdrawal from the World Health Organisation, citing allegations it mishandled the COVID pandemic and asked Washington for "unfair contributions".
Trump had this response when he was asked if he saw the importance of the WHO in coordinating a global response to pandemics.
DONALD TRUMP, US President "Sure I do, but not when you're being ripped off like we are by the World Health."
The move swiftly triggered a reaction from the World Health Organisation, which is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
TARIK JASAREVIC, Spokesperson, World Health Organization "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."
According to the WHO, the US is its largest single donor. In 2023, the US contributed to about 18% of its entire budget.
DANIELA MORICH, Senior Manager and Advisor, Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute "I think that for the year 2024 and 2025, they contributed something around a $700 million. So this is really like a big chunk of the budget and this is coming from voluntary and mandatory contributions. So I think this is going to have an impact and important impact on the ability of WHO to implement its international health programs and policies."
The WHO says it is analyzing the exact details of the US executive order to assess its impact. The US is required to provide a one-year notice to leave the WHO.
JULIA LYUBOVA, Geneva "The World Health Organisation says it hopes that the United States will reconsider its decision, especially considering the US was a founding member in 1948 and alongside 193 other member states has shaped and governed its operations. For now, the WHO says it will continue with its lifesaving work around the world. Julia Lyubova, CGTN, Geneva."