The World Health Organisation (WHO) is facing a financial crisis as it grapples with the impact of the United States’ planned withdrawal from the agency, set in motion by President Donald Trump’s directive on his first day back in office. The executive board of the WHO met on Monday in Geneva, amid growing concern and alarm over the consequences of this move, which threatens to blow a significant hole in the global health organization’s budget.
The U.S. has long been the WHO’s largest contributor, responsible for a staggering 18 percent of the agency’s total budget in 2024. As a result of the withdrawal order, which is set to take effect on January 22, 2026, the WHO faces an urgent financial shortfall. The anticipated loss of funds has already led to fears of drastic cuts to essential health programs, including vital global health initiatives and jobs that are critical to the organization’s operations.
The meeting of the WHO’s executive board, which is composed of 34 members, represents the highest decision-making body of the agency during annual general sessions. The board convened with the pressing task of finding solutions to address the funding gap created by the U.S. exit. With the withdrawal order from the Trump administration coming into effect in 2026, the organization had hoped that other member states would consider increasing their contributions to help fill the void. However, with global economic pressures and other competing priorities, this remains uncertain.
The WHO’s funding structure is based on the economic strength of its 194 member states, with mandatory contributions reflecting the financial capacity of each country. While some nations, such as Germany, have stepped in during times of financial strain—replacing the U.S. as the largest contributor during Trump’s first term—the absence of the U.S. will undoubtedly have far-reaching effects. During the 2020–2021 budget period, Germany became the largest contributor after the U.S. withheld its funds.
The decision to withdraw, combined with immediate cessation of cooperation by the Biden administration, has created a sense of uncertainty at WHO headquarters, as the organization now must navigate this significant financial challenge while maintaining its role as a global health leader. It’s clear that, unless other wealthy nations step in to bolster the WHO’s budget, critical health programs may be scaled back or discontinued, leaving millions of people in vulnerable situations without the support they need.
As the U.S. withdrawal looms, the WHO’s focus is now shifting toward securing increased financial contributions from its remaining members to prevent a global health disaster.
Call to Action: Stay ahead with the latest news on global innovation, leadership, entrepreneurship, business, and tech. Join us on WhatsApp or Telegram for real-time updates. Have a report or article? Send it to report@theinnovationtimes.com. Follow us on X (Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, and Facebook for more insights and trends.
