By Abdullahi Lukman
The World Health Organization (WHO) found itself in crisis mode during its executive board meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025, as it addressed the impending challenges arising from the United States’ decision to withdraw from the agency.
Since President Donald Trump’s announcement upon returning to office, instructing the U.S. to exit the WHO, tensions have mounted at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva, with officials scrambling to find ways to manage the consequences of losing the U.S. as its largest financial contributor.
The U.S. has been a vital partner for the WHO, providing a substantial 18 percent of the organization’s total budget in 2024.
With the U.S. exit set to take effect on January 22, 2026, the loss of funding presents a significant challenge.
Experts warn that the organization may be forced to reduce vital health programs and cut staff to make up for the shortfall.
The WHO’s ability to coordinate global health initiatives ranging from disease prevention to emergency responses relies heavily on the funding provided by its largest contributors, and the U.S.’s withdrawal will undoubtedly have far reaching consequences.
The U.S. was represented on the WHO’s executive board, which comprises 34 members and is the most influential decision making body between the agency’s annual general meetings.
The board’s role is critical in shaping policy, setting priorities, and overseeing the WHO’s activities globally.
However, in light of the U.S. decision to sever ties, the country’s immediate withdrawal from active participation in the board and cessation of cooperation with the WHO have only exacerbated the sense of crisis.
The withdrawal threatens not just WHO’s finances but also the broader structure of international health cooperation.
The new administration in Washington, although not reversing the previous administration’s decision to withdraw, has insisted on an immediate cessation of the U.S. involvement with the WHO.
This move accelerates the looming funding deficit, leaving the WHO in a precarious position to maintain its vast health programs, many of which are crucial for the ongoing fight against pandemics, infectious diseases, and health disparities across the globe.
The WHO had hoped that other member countries would step up and increase their contributions to bridge the financial gap.
The mandatory contributions from the 194 member states are determined based on the country’s economic strength. Yet, even with this system, the WHO is struggling to fill the void left by the U.S.
As a result, many are calling for stronger solidarity among nations to ensure the continuity of critical global health initiatives.
During Trump’s first term, when the U.S. withheld its financial contributions to the WHO, Germany stepped in and became the largest contributor to the WHO’s 2020-2021 budget.
The European Union, along with other wealthy countries, also increased their donations to help stabilize the organization’s finances during that period.
However, without sustained funding increases from multiple countries, the organization may find itself facing difficult decisions in the coming years, including potential reductions in health programs that impact millions worldwide.
The WHO’s role has never been more crucial, as the world continues to navigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future health crises.
The organization’s ability to respond to new threats, share critical health data, coordinate vaccination efforts, and support developing nations in managing public health challenges is underpinned by its financial resources.
The threat of a diminished budget puts all these efforts at risk, potentially reversing decades of progress in global health.
As the situation unfolds, the WHO faces mounting pressure to not only mitigate the immediate financial crisis but also to recalibrate its strategies to ensure that the loss of the U.S.
funding does not lead to an irreversible decline in its capacity to address global health needs.
For many health experts and leaders, the crisis within the WHO is not just a matter of financial solvency, but of safeguarding the future of global health cooperation and the lives of millions who rely on its program.
