US Officially Withdraws From World Health Organization

The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), cutting ties with the UN health agency and ending all funding, engagement, and personnel involvement.

The move follows an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump at the start of his second term, after previously signalling the withdrawal a year ago. Trump had criticised the WHO for being overly “China-centric” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The US Department of Health and Human Services said the decision was taken due to the WHO’s alleged “mishandling” of the pandemic, its inability to reform, and political influence from member states.

The WHO has rejected the claims, describing the withdrawal as a setback for global health. Its Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the decision was a loss for both the United States and the wider world.

The organisation highlighted its role in tackling polio, HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, and enforcing its international tobacco control treaty. It also referenced the international pandemic treaty agreed by member states in April last year to improve global preparedness and equitable access to vaccines and medicines — a treaty the US did not join.

Washington, traditionally one of the WHO’s largest donors, has not paid its 2024 and 2025 membership fees, triggering significant job losses within the organisation. WHO lawyers estimate the unpaid arrears at $260m (£193m), though the US said it sees no obligation to settle the amount.

US authorities confirmed that all government funding to the WHO has been terminated, American personnel and contractors have been recalled from WHO offices in Geneva and worldwide, and hundreds of engagements have been suspended or discontinued.

“The WHO tarnished and trashed everything that America has done for it,” a joint statement from US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio read.

The officials added that the organisation had “abandoned its core mission and acted repeatedly against the interests of the United States,” including failing to return the American flag at its Geneva headquarters.

“Going forward, U.S. engagement with the WHO will be limited strictly to effectuate our withdrawal and to safeguard the health and safety of the American people,” they said.

The US said it plans to pursue bilateral health partnerships with other countries for disease surveillance and pathogen sharing but did not specify which nations are involved. Officials also said the US would work with “NGOs and faith based groups” to continue efforts against diseases such as polio and HIV, though no concrete partnerships have been announced.

When asked about participation in global flu vaccine development and data sharing, officials said they were unsure.

Following the signing of the withdrawal order, the WHO said it hoped the US would reconsider.

The agency noted that “the WHO and the USA have saved countless lives and protected Americans and all people from health threats,” adding that reconsideration would benefit “the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”