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The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), a move that leaves the United Nations health agency without one of its largest financial contributors.
The decision follows an executive order signed a year ago by US President Donald Trump, who accused the WHO of being overly aligned with China during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the US Department of Health and Human Services said the withdrawal was based on 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 rejected these allegations. Its Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the withdrawal as a loss not only for the United States but for global public health, citing the organisation’s work in combating polio, HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, and tobacco use.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO member states negotiated an international pandemic treaty aimed at improving 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 member states except the United States.
Although the US has historically been one of the WHO’s biggest donors, it has not paid its assessed contributions for 2024 and 2025, resulting in significant job losses within the organisation. WHO officials estimate the unpaid arrears at about $260 million, though the US government has said it does not consider itself obligated to settle the amount.
US authorities confirmed that all government funding to the WHO has been terminated, American personnel and contractors have been withdrawn from WHO offices worldwide, and hundreds of cooperative engagements have been suspended.
In a joint statement, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the WHO of abandoning its core mission and acting against US interests. They said future US engagement with the organisation would be limited strictly to managing the withdrawal process and safeguarding domestic public health.
The US government said it plans to pursue bilateral partnerships with other countries, as well as collaborations with non-governmental and faith-based organisations, to support disease surveillance and global health initiatives. However, officials did not provide details on specific partnerships or clarify the country’s role in future global influenza vaccine development.
The WHO confirmed that the US withdrawal will be discussed at its executive board meeting scheduled for February 2 to 7, 2026, adding that its secretariat will act in line with guidance from its governing bodies.
