WHO Faces Challenges Without Major Funding
Starting Monday, hundreds of officials from the World Health Organization will gather in Geneva alongside donors and diplomats to discuss how to tackle crises, including MPOX and cholera, while lacking support from their primary benefactor, the United States.
This annual meeting typically features a week packed with sessions, voting, and policy-making. It aims to highlight the role of UN agencies in combating disease outbreaks, facilitating vaccine approvals, and supporting global healthcare systems.
This year, tensions are heightened as US President Donald Trump initiated the process to withdraw from the WHO on his first day in office last January, significantly reducing financial contributions.
“Our aim is to concentrate on high-value objectives,” said Daniel Thornton, WHO’s Director of Coordinated Resource Mobilization, in a statement to Reuters.
The debate now centers on the implications for those “high-value objectives.” Health officials report that the WHO is striving to offer guidance to nations on new vaccines and treatments for various conditions, from obesity to HIV.
A presentation shared with donors, which Reuters obtained, highlights the importance of new drug approvals, outbreak responses, and training programs, while signaling potential closures of offices in wealthier nations.
The US historically contributed about 18% of WHO’s funding. As a diplomat noted, “We need to make the most of what we have.” Since Trump’s announcement, there have been significant cuts to staff and budgets, disrupting several multilateral agreements and initiatives.
A year-long delay mandated by US law means that the US remains a member of the WHO for now, with their flag still raised outside the Geneva headquarters until the official exit on January 21, 2026.
Trump has accused the WHO of mismanagement and hinted at a potential re-engagement, stating his team might consider rejoining to see if organizational improvements are made.
However, the Global Health envoy suggests that there haven’t been notable changes in direction since those comments. Consequently, the WHO now faces a $600 million shortfall in its budget, with planned cuts of 21% over the next two years.
China Steps In
As the US prepares to exit, China is set to become the largest contributor. Its financial input is projected to increase by over 20%, accounting for more than 15% of the total state fees due to funding system changes agreed upon in 2022.
“We must adapt to a multilateral environment without the Americans. Life moves on,” stated Chen Xu, China’s ambassador to Geneva, in remarks to journalists last month.
Some suggest this may be an opportunity for a broader reform rather than merely continuing under a restructured funding hierarchy.
“Do we really need all these committees? Is it necessary to produce thousands of publications every year?” posed Anil Soni, CEO of the WHO Foundation, which is the agency’s independent fundraising entity.
Soni emphasized that these changes should prompt a reevaluation of operational priorities, including whether emergency procurement details should take precedence.
There’s also an urgent need to ensure vital projects remain intact during this immediate cash crisis, which might mean appealing to specific donors, like pharmaceutical companies and charities.
For instance, focusing on children’s health in Africa, the Elma Foundation recently secured $2 million towards the global Measles and Rubella Institute network.
Other discussions at the Assembly will center on formalizing agreements for future pandemic responses while seeking increased funding via investment rounds.
Nonetheless, the emphasis continues to be on securing financial support in this evolving landscape. Throughout this period, WHO managers are reaching out to staff to volunteer without compensation.
