Most of the money redirected will go to children’s vaccinations and influenza surveillance, officials said. But the United States Agency for International Development will continue with plans to support the WHO in its work in Libya and Syria, and to provide 5 million for polio eradication in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The WHO declined to comment, citing statements made to reporters when the administration announced its intention to withdraw. At the time, WHO Director-General Tedros hannodbraebrasius said the agency “regretted” Mr. Trump’s decision. “The United States is a long-standing and generous friend to the WHO, and we hope it will continue to be so,” said Dr. Tedros.
On July 7, the Trump administration formally notified United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the United States would withdraw from the WHO on July 6, 2021.
UN members are obliged to give one year notice of withdrawal and pay all outstanding dues. The United States, historically the agency’s largest supporter, was valued at 22 percent of the agency’s budget, or about 120 million; He had already paid 58 58 million when the withdrawal notice was issued, officials said.
In 2019, the United States contributed about 55 3,553 million. That amount, much larger than the mandatory rest assessment, includes voluntary donations for reasons the U.S. government supports.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday accused the WHO of being ineffective and politically influential because it rejected the Trump administration’s coordinated global initiative to distribute coronavirus vaccines.
At least 172 countries are negotiating to join the so-called Kovacs program, the only global effort between governments and manufacturers to approve and distribute the vaccine. According to the WHO, nine potential vaccines have been evaluated so far, and nine more are being investigated.
