WHO Reportedly Considering Staffing and Budget Cuts Following U.S. Withdrawal

According to reports, the World Health Organization (WHO) is proposing to cut staff and reduce its budget following President Trump’s executive order to withdraw funding.

BREAKING: World Health Organization to drastically cut its workforce and slash its budget for 2026-27 by 21% after President Trump withdrew funding.

— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) March 30, 2025

Per Reuters:

That’s according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.

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U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration withdrew from the WHO upon taking office in January, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.

The memo says the suggested budget cut is more than 20% which is slightly larger than the 18% the WHO receives from the U.S. which is by far its biggest financial backer.

The health group also blamed its financial struggles on countries that have reduced development assistance to boost defense spending.

JUST IN – WHO has proposed slashing a fifth of its budget following the US decision to withdraw, and must now reduce its reach and workforce, its chief saidhttps://t.co/dv4zueREHd

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) March 29, 2025

In January, President Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO).

President Trump Signs Executive Order Withdrawing United States From World Health Organization

“The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 due to the organization’s mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.  In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments.  China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO,” the executive order reads.

WATCH:

🚨 President Trump withdraws the United States from the World Health Organization pic.twitter.com/YyKYMP53Ur

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) January 21, 2025

“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,” the WHO commented.

“The United States was a founding member of WHO in 1948 and has participated in shaping and governing WHO’s work ever since, alongside 193 other Member States, including through its active participation in the World Health Assembly and Executive Board. For over seven decades, WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats. Together, we ended smallpox, and together we have brought polio to the brink of eradication. American institutions have contributed to and benefited from membership in WHO,” it continued.

“With the participation of the United States and other Member States, WHO has over the past 7 years implemented the largest set of reforms in its history, to transform our accountability, cost-effectiveness, and impact in countries. This work continues. We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe,” it added.

WHO comments on United States announcement of intent to withdraw

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… pic.twitter.com/DT3QJ49bhb

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 21, 2025

NewsNation noted:

The U.S. was a founding member of WHO, which directs and coordinates the international response to health emergencies.

At a news briefing Tuesday, WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic said the U.S. contributed 18% of the organization’s budget in 2023.

“Thanks to decades of strong partnership, the United States of America plays a crucial role in supporting WHO to protect and improve the health of Americans and people around the world,” WHO says on its website.

In the 2022-2023 biennium, the United States gave $1.284 billion to WHO. The Associated Press reported that in the last decade, the U.S. has given the organization about $160 million to $815 million every year.

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