The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), cutting ties with the UN agency and ending its status as one of the organisation’s largest financial contributors.
The decision follows an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump a year ago, in which he accused the WHO of being overly “China-centric” in its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the US Department of Health and Human Services said the withdrawal was prompted by what it described as the WHO’s mishandling of the pandemic, its failure to implement meaningful reforms, and undue political influence from member states.
The WHO has strongly rejected these claims. Its Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the US exit as a loss not only for the organisation but also for the United States and global public health.
The agency highlighted its work in combating diseases such as polio and HIV/AIDS, reducing maternal mortality, and leading global tobacco control efforts through international treaties.
Following the Covid-19 crisis, WHO member states negotiated an international pandemic treaty aimed at improving prevention, preparedness and response to future global health emergencies, including fairer access to vaccines and medicines. The treaty was adopted in April last year by all WHO member states except the United States.
Although Washington has traditionally been one of the WHO’s biggest donors, it failed to pay its assessed contributions for 2024 and 2025, resulting in significant job losses at the organisation. WHO officials estimate the unpaid arrears at about $260 million, an amount WHO lawyers say the US is still obligated to pay. However, Washington has said it sees no reason to settle the outstanding fees.
The US government has confirmed that all funding to the WHO has been terminated, US personnel and contractors have been withdrawn from the organisation’s headquarters in Geneva and its offices worldwide, and hundreds of US engagements with the WHO have been suspended or discontinued.
In a joint statement, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the WHO of abandoning its core mission and acting against US interests.
“The WHO tarnished and trashed everything that America has done for it,” the statement said, also alleging that the organisation failed to return the American flag previously displayed at its Geneva headquarters.
The officials said future US engagement with the WHO would be limited strictly to managing the withdrawal process and protecting the health and safety of Americans.
The US government indicated it plans to pursue bilateral partnerships with other countries for disease surveillance and pathogen sharing, though it did not specify which countries are involved. It also said it would work with non-governmental and faith-based organisations to continue efforts against diseases such as polio and HIV, but provided no details on existing partnerships.
When asked about continued participation in global influenza surveillance and vaccine development, US officials said they were uncertain.
After President Trump signed the withdrawal order at the start of his second term, the WHO expressed hope that the US would reconsider, noting that the long-standing partnership had helped save countless lives and protect both Americans and people worldwide.
The WHO confirmed on Friday that the US withdrawal will be discussed at its executive board meeting scheduled for February 2 to 7.
