The World Health Organization (WHO) is grappling with a critical financial crisis as the U.S. withdrawal from the global health body looms large. The atmosphere at WHO’s headquarters in Geneva was fraught with concern as the Executive Board convened on Monday to discuss the fallout from the U.S. decision, initially ordered by former President Donald Trump in 2021. With the U.S. being the largest single contributor to the WHO’s budget, its impending exit is expected to leave a substantial hole in the organization’s finances, posing severe consequences for global health initiatives.
The U.S. accounted for a significant 18% of the WHO’s budget in 2024, making it the organization’s top contributor. With the U.S. withdrawal scheduled to take effect on January 22, 2026, and the new U.S. administration directing officials to halt cooperation with the WHO immediately, the situation has prompted alarm across the health body. The executive board, comprising 34 members and serving as the highest decision-making authority of the WHO, is now left to navigate the repercussions of this funding gap.
The consequences of this withdrawal are far-reaching. With less financial support from the U.S., the WHO is facing difficult decisions, including potential cuts to critical health programs and even job losses within the organization. The global health community is bracing for the possibility that programs designed to address pressing health challenges, such as disease prevention, vaccination campaigns, and emergency responses, may be scaled back or halted due to the funding shortfall.
In the wake of the U.S. exit, the WHO has been hoping that other member states will step in to fill the funding void. However, the burden of covering the gap may fall disproportionately on wealthier nations, many of whom are already dealing with their own economic challenges. The mandatory contributions from the 194 WHO member states are determined based on each country’s economic strength, but even with additional support from other nations, it remains uncertain whether the funding will be sufficient to sustain the WHO’s essential work.
This situation is reminiscent of 2020 when the U.S. temporarily withheld funds during Trump’s first term in office, prompting Germany to step in and become the largest contributor for the 2020–2021 budget period. However, the current crisis is more dire, as the U.S. is now set to fully sever its ties with the WHO, leaving a profound impact on the organization’s ability to respond to global health emergencies and support health initiatives worldwide.
The WHO’s response to this crisis will have lasting effects on global health policies and the future of international cooperation in addressing health challenges. As the world watches closely, the coming months will be pivotal in determining how the organization navigates this unprecedented financial crisis and whether other nations can step up to ensure the continuation of its vital work.
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