by breakinglegalnews.com

The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing significant challenges after the U.S. decision to withdraw from the U.N. health agency, as highlighted during a recent meeting where global leaders and diplomats urged the U.S. to reverse this move. The WHO relies heavily on U.S. funding, and with the U.S. contributing an estimated $988 million for 2024-2025—around 14% of its total budget—there are growing concerns about how the agency will manage without this vital financial support.

The U.S. contribution plays a central role in funding WHO’s health emergencies program, including efforts in regions like the Middle East, Ukraine, and Sudan. The U.S. also finances a significant portion of the WHO’s tuberculosis work in Europe, Africa, and the Western Pacific. The withdrawal of these funds has left WHO scrambling to address the shortfall, with warnings that critical programs such as polio-eradication and HIV treatment may suffer as a result.

At a recent budget meeting, Germany's envoy, Bjorn Kummel, expressed urgency, saying, "The roof is on fire, and we need to stop the fire as soon as possible." Meanwhile, WHO has struggled to collect owed funds from the U.S. for 2024, leaving the agency facing a deficit as it continues to operate without full financial backing.

The situation is expected to remain a topic of discussion through WHO's executive board session, running until February 11, with health ministers from around the world determining the next steps to address the funding gap left by the U.S. withdrawal.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting global health, coordinating international health efforts, and setting standards for public health practices. Its mission is to ensure that all people, regardless of their location, have access to the highest possible level of health and well-being.

WHO's main functions include:

1. Providing leadership on global health matters and shaping the health research agenda.
2. Setting international health standards and regulations, such as guidelines on vaccinations, disease control, and food safety.
3. Coordinating responses to health emergencies like outbreaks of diseases (e.g., Ebola, COVID-19).
4. Supporting countries in strengthening their health systems, preventing diseases, and improving health outcomes through technical assistance, training, and funding.
5. Monitoring and assessing global health trends, like tracking disease outbreaks and assessing health risks worldwide.

WHO is funded by contributions from its member states, and it works with countries, governments, health experts, and partners globally to achieve its health goals.