WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, informed member states on Tuesday that the United States’ decision to withhold its assessed contributions for 2024 and 2025 has created a massive financial shortfall, AFP reports.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that its ability to function globally is under serious threat due to a severe budget crisis stemming from funding cuts.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, informed member states on Tuesday that the United States’ decision to withhold its assessed contributions for 2024 and 2025 has created a massive financial shortfall, AFP reports.
“The refusal of the US to pay its assessed contributions for 2024 and 2025, combined with reductions in official development assistance by some other countries, means we are facing a salary gap for the 2026–27 biennium of between $560 and $650 million,” Tedros stated, according to a transcript of his opening remarks.
This shortfall, he added, has forced the agency to significantly scale back operations and lay off staff.
The announcement raises fresh concerns about the sustainability of WHO’s critical health programmes worldwide.
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