President Donald Trump on Tuesday halted funding to the World Health Organization saying his administration will investigate what he alleged as “severe” mismanagement of its coronavirus response.
President @realDonaldTrump is halting funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess WHO's role in mismanaging the Coronavirus outbreak. pic.twitter.com/jTrEf4WWj0
— The White House 45 Archived (@WhiteHouse45) April 14, 2020
However, his decision has come under heavy criticism.
“We regret the decision of the President of the United States to order a halt in funding to the World Health Organization,” said Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Tedros said Wednesday the “U.S. has been a long-standing and generous friend to WHO, and we hope it will continue to be so.
In due course, @WHO’s performance in tackling the #COVID19 pandemic will be reviewed by the Member States & the independent bodies. This is part of the usual process to ensure transparency, accountability and recommendations for future outbreak responses. https://t.co/PGZgcA2l3l
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) April 15, 2020
We regret” Trump’s decision. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said the international community needs to unite “in solidarity to stop this virus.”
In Kenya, Health Director-General Dr Patrick said the move would affect future programmes not current ones.
“US has indeed stopped funding to WHO but that stoppage has only affected ongoing programmes going forward and not the current ones in fact we have already received Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) donated by WHO and consignment has landed in Nairobi through Ethiopian Airline,” said Amoth.
Globally, the coronavirus cases stood at 2,000,984 Wednesday evening, with 128,071 deaths according to Johns Hopkins University data.
Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds. Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them. The world needs @WHO now more than ever.
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) April 15, 2020
Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief said the decision was regrettable, “Deeply regret US decision to suspend funding to WHO. There is no reason justifying this move at a moment when their efforts are needed more than ever to help contain & mitigate the coronavirus pandemic.”
Deeply regret US decision to suspend funding to @WHO. There is no reason justifying this move at a moment when their efforts are needed more than ever to help contain & mitigate the #coronavirus pandemic. Only by joining forces we can overcome this crisis that knows no borders.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) April 15, 2020
Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the UK-based Lancet medical journal, wrote Trump’s decision to defund WHO: “a crime against humanity … Every scientist, every health worker, every citizen must resist and rebel against this appalling betrayal of global solidarity.”
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) April 15, 2020
The WHO is funded by fees from its 194 member states, and through voluntary contributions. The US accounts for more than 14% of the agency’s financing at around $400 million annualy. Other top donors include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the GAVI Vaccine Alliance.
