WHO Faces 20% Budget Cut Following US Withdrawal

The World Health Organization (WHO) is bracing for significant financial cutbacks after the United States decided to withdraw its funding.

In an internal email obtained by AFP, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed that the organization is facing an income gap of nearly $600 million in 2025, forcing it to scale back both its operations and workforce.

The US, previously the WHO’s largest donor, provided approximately $1.3 billion during the 2022-2023 budget cycle—around 16.3% of the organization’s total budget.

However, after returning to the White House in January, President Donald Trump not only initiated the US withdrawal from the WHO but also froze nearly all US foreign aid, significantly disrupting global health initiatives.

“Dramatic cuts to official development assistance by the United States and other nations are causing massive disruption to countries, NGOs, and United Nations agencies, including WHO,” Tedros stated in his email to staff on Friday. Even before this announcement, the WHO had been working on cost-saving measures due to mounting financial pressures over the past nine months.

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The WHO’s financial situation has been further exacerbated by recent reductions in development aid from various countries, as many governments prioritize defense spending over global health initiatives.

In response, the organization’s executive board initially proposed a $4.9 billion budget for the 2026-2027 cycle—down from the originally planned $5.3 billion. However, given the worsening financial outlook, WHO has now suggested a further reduction to $4.2 billion, marking a 21% decrease from the initial proposal.

“While we have achieved substantial cost savings, the prevailing economic and geopolitical conditions have made resource mobilization particularly difficult,” Tedros explained. “As a result, we are facing an income gap of almost $600 million this year alone.”

With no alternative but to scale back, WHO will begin reducing its workforce and operational scope, starting at its headquarters with senior leadership. These cuts will eventually extend across all levels and regions of the organization.

“Despite our best efforts, we are now at the point where we have no choice but to reduce the scale of our work and workforce,” Tedros said.

The WHO plays a critical role in coordinating global responses to health crises, including disease outbreaks, vaccination efforts, and emergency medical assistance. The loss of significant funding raises concerns about the organization’s ability to sustain essential programs and support vulnerable populations worldwide.

As the WHO navigates these financial challenges, the global health community will be watching closely to see how the agency adapts. Will other nations step up to fill the funding gap, or will the organization’s reduced budget weaken its ability to respond to future health emergencies? One thing is certain: the landscape of international health cooperation is undergoing a seismic shift.