Official US Congressional records or announcements

Trump Initiates Second US Withdrawal from WHO, Citing $1.3 Billion in Funding

Jan 22, 2025, 02:00 PM

President Donald Trump has initiated the process to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) for the second time in less than five years, a move that has raised concerns among public health experts. The decision, announced on his first day back in the White House, aims to pause future U.S. government funding to WHO, recall and reassign federal personnel and contractors working with the organization, and identify alternative partners to take over activities previously managed by WHO. The withdrawal process requires a 12 months notice as per a 1948 joint resolution. Experts warn that this withdrawal could weaken global defenses against new disease outbreaks and potentially increase the risk of pandemics. The U.S. has historically been a major donor to WHO, contributing between $160 million and $815 million annually over the last decade, with a total of $1.3 billion in funding for 2022-2023. The withdrawal could severely impact WHO's budget and its ability to coordinate global health responses, including efforts to eradicate diseases like polio and manage maternal and child health programs.