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Internal documents reveal that the World Health Organization has been compelled to slash its anticipated expenditure by more than 20 percent following the U.S. withdrawal under the Trump administration’s leadership.
This significant budget reduction highlights the lasting impact of Trump’s 2020 decision to remove the United States from the W.H.O., a move he justified by citing the organization’s alleged COVID-19 response failures and perceived favoritism toward China. The financial restructuring has impacted numerous W.H.O. programs, spanning from infectious disease monitoring to maternal healthcare initiatives.
Internal records show the organization’s five-year budget projection has decreased by $2 billion, falling from $9.4 billion to $7.4 billion after losing American financial support. Historically, U.S. contributions constituted approximately 15-20 percent of the W.H.O.’s overall funding through both mandatory and voluntary payments. These financial constraints have necessitated workforce reductions and program curtailment in areas deemed less essential.
The US withdrawal has exacerbated a funding crisis due to member states reducing their development spending. Faced with an income gap of nearly $600 million this year, the WHO has proposed to slash its budget for 2026-27 by 21% https://t.co/LQKXVqMd5d pic.twitter.com/Q2Y16nLoOu
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 29, 2025
While the W.H.O. has actively sought replacement funding from European nations and private sector donors, internal assessments indicate these efforts haven’t fully addressed the financial gap. Some within the organization express concern that sustained funding reductions could hamper the agency’s ability to tackle future health emergencies.
The American exit from the W.H.O. generated mixed reactions. Those in favor viewed it as an appropriate response to the organization’s perceived failure to demand accountability from China during the pandemic’s early phases. However, numerous public health specialists opposed the decision, arguing it would weaken international pandemic coordination and diminish America’s role in global health leadership.
President Biden’s administration swiftly reversed the withdrawal through an executive order following his election victory. However, the organization’s financial future remains unclear, as while some funding has been restored, the administration hasn’t pledged to fully reinstate previous voluntary contribution levels.
WHO faces $600m shortfall or 21% budget slash as US pulls out
Programs, staff significantly scaled back as US was top donor pic.twitter.com/sFZXzYMn8L
— RT (@RT_com) March 29, 2025
W.H.O. leadership, including Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has reportedly expressed internal worries about ongoing funding instability, advocating for a more reliable budgetary framework. The financial challenges have sparked discussions about reforming the W.H.O.’s funding structure, which currently depends heavily on discretionary contributions rather than guaranteed member state fees.
These financial challenges have forced the W.H.O. to reevaluate its operational scope and future planning as it navigates the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal and evolving global priorities.
