The statement about the completion of the withdrawal from the WHO was published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. At the same time, as noted by Bloomberg and Reuters, the American side was unable to settle its debt to the organization, which amounts to about $260 million. The AP agency points to a sum of over $130 million.
The reasons for the withdrawal from the WHO cited by the U.S. administration include "the organization's inadequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in Wuhan, China, as well as its inability to implement necessary reforms and demonstrate independence from the political influence of WHO member states."
According to Reuters, the U.S. held the position of the largest sponsor of the WHO, accounting for approximately 18% of the organization's total budget. In light of the U.S. intention to leave the WHO, the organization plans to cut about a quarter of its staff by mid-2026.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, signed an order to withdraw from the WHO on January 20, 2025, on the first day of his return to the White House. Reuters and Bloomberg report that the completion of the withdrawal process a year later is related to the requirements of U.S. legislation, which stipulates that notification of such actions must be submitted a year before the withdrawal.
However, the law also requires the settlement of all unpaid dues.
