WHO Struggles with 20% Budget Cut Amid U.S. Exit

Emmanuel Kwada

The World Health Organization (WHO) is grappling with a significant financial setback as it proposes slashing its budget by approximately 20 percent, a move prompted by the United States’ decision to withdraw its support.

Arrow indicating downwards: budget cut 

The announcement, detailed in an internal email from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and obtained by Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Saturday, underscores the immediate challenges facing the global health body as it braces for reduced reach and a downsized workforce.

The U.S., historically one of the WHO’s largest donors, contributed roughly 15 percent of the organization’s budget in recent years, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

We must scale back our ambitions and align our workforce with the resources available

However, following a decision under the administration of President Donald Trump—reaffirmed in early 2025—the U.S. formally ceased its funding and participation, leaving a gaping hole in the WHO’s financial framework.

The proposed budget cut would reduce the agency’s operational funds from approximately $4.8 billion to $4.2 billion, a shortfall of $600 million that threatens to disrupt critical global health initiatives.

Dr Tedros. Credit: AFP 

In the email, Dr. Tedros outlined the gravity of the situation, stating, “The withdrawal of one of our key partners necessitates tough decisions. We must scale back our ambitions and align our workforce with the resources available.”

While the full details of the cuts remain under review, the WHO chief hinted at significant reductions in staffing and operational scope, with programs such as HIV treatment, polio eradication, and emergency response likely to face constraints.

The proposed cuts come at a pivotal moment for global health, with ongoing challenges including infectious disease outbreaks, climate-related health crises, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are in active discussions with partners to explore sustainable funding models, but the timeline is tight

The WHO has been a linchpin in coordinating international responses to such threats, but experts warn that a diminished budget could weaken its ability to act decisively.

Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on emerging diseases, expressed concern in a recent briefing: “Our capacity to monitor and respond to health emergencies relies heavily on stable funding.

Any reduction could delay critical interventions, putting lives at risk.” Posts on X reflect similar sentiments, with users noting that the loss of U.S. funding could jeopardize initiatives like childhood vaccination campaigns and support for low-income countries battling HIV/AIDS.

This is a test of our resilience

Historically, the WHO’s budget has been a mix of assessed contributions from member states and voluntary donations, with the U.S. playing an outsized role in the latter category.

In 2023-2024, for instance, the agency reported total revenue of $4.8 billion, of which voluntary contributions accounted for over 80 percent. The U.S. exit not only slashes this revenue stream but also sends a political signal that could discourage other donors, compounding the financial strain.

The internal email did not specify exact figures for staff reductions, but sources within the organization suggest that hundreds of positions—potentially up to a fifth of its 7,000-strong workforce—could be affected.

We must adapt and focus on what matters most

The U.S. withdrawal stems from long-standing tensions, exacerbated during the Trump administration’s first term when it accused the WHO of mismanaging the COVID-19 response and favoring China. President Trump’s re-election in 2024 reignited this critique, culminating in the formal exit announced earlier this year.

Other member states have yet to fill the void. The European Union, China, and Japan—significant contributors in their own right—have signaled willingness to increase funding, but their pledges fall short of offsetting the U.S. shortfall. A WHO spokesperson told AFP, “We are in active discussions with partners to explore sustainable funding models, but the timeline is tight.”

“This is a test of our resilience,” Dr. Tedros wrote in the email. “We must adapt and focus on what matters most: saving lives and advancing health for all.”

~AFP

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