In a landmark decision with profound global health implications, the United States has formally terminated its membership with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The withdrawal, effective as of Thursday, culminates a year-long process initiated by an executive order from President Donald Trump on his first day in office in 2025. The administration cites significant failures in the UN agency’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as the primary catalyst for its departure.
The exit triggers an immediate financial crisis for the WHO, which has historically relied on Washington for approximately 18% of its total funding. The agency has been compelled to implement severe austerity measures, including reducing its management team by half and planning to shed a quarter of its total staff by mid-year. Budgets for critical programs are being scaled back globally.
A contentious legal and financial dispute has emerged surrounding the withdrawal. While U.S. law typically requires a one-year notice and the settlement of all outstanding fees—estimated at $260 million for 2024 and 2025—before departure, the State Department contests this obligation. A spokesperson asserted, ‘The American people have paid more than enough,’ indicating the administration’s refusal to pay the outstanding sum. The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the cessation of all future funding contributions, with a spokesperson alleging the WHO had ‘cost the U.S. trillions of dollars.’
The move has been met with widespread concern from global health leaders and philanthropists. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had recently urged a reconsideration. Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, a major WHO funder, expressed disappointment at the World Economic Forum in Davos, stating, ‘The world needs the World Health Organisation.’ He acknowledged a short-term return was unlikely but vowed to continue advocacy for reinstatement.
Health experts warn the withdrawal poses significant risks to international pandemic preparedness. Kelly Henning of Bloomberg Philanthropies noted, ‘The U.S. withdrawal from WHO could weaken the systems and collaborations the world relies on to detect, prevent, and respond to health threats.’ The U.S. government stated it would pursue direct partnerships with individual nations on disease surveillance, forgoing multilateral cooperation through the WHO. The American flag was removed from WHO headquarters in Geneva, symbolizing the formal severance of a 73-year relationship.