US Officially Quits WHO: Director Warns of Serious Global Health Threat

• The United States officially severed all ties with the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 22, marking its first withdrawal since WHO's 1948 founding.
• Former President Donald Trump initiated the withdrawal process, citing WHO's alleged failure to adequately address the COVID-19 pandemic and its susceptibility to China's influence.
• The US halted all funding to WHO, which accounted for approximately 20% of the organization's total budget, leading to significant financial difficulties for WHO.
• The US owes WHO approximately $278 million in unpaid membership fees for 2024 and 2025, which it has refused to pay.
• WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that the US withdrawal poses a serious threat to global health security, emphasizing the need for unity in health crises.

Why It Matters: The US withdrawal from WHO, driven by Trump's criticisms, creates financial strain and threatens global health security.