The World Health Organization has reported that a freeze on US aid has impacted programs designed to combat diseases, warning of a significant global health crisis.
US Aid Freeze Causes Crisis in Global Health, WHO Warns
US Aid Freeze Causes Crisis in Global Health, WHO Warns
WHO Chief Calls for Resumption of Funding to Combat HIV, Polio, and More
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over the suspension of tens of billions of dollars in aid from the United States, stating that health initiatives in 50 countries have been severely disrupted. This funding freeze comes as part of US President Donald Trump's initiative to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which he claims is guilty of "unexplainable" spending.
At a press conference in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the critical need for immediate resumption of aid, stressing that programs to fight HIV, polio, mpox, and bird flu among others have faced significant setbacks. He noted the severe cessation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has led to halts in HIV treatment and prevention services—potentially endangering the health outcomes of millions.
Dr. Tedros indicated that the ramifications have reached far and wide, with health clinics forced to close and healthcare workers laid off. He pointed out, “There are actions that the US government is taking... which we're concerned are having a serious impact on global health.” Experts in the field are echoing these concerns, warning of a forthcoming health crisis if aid is not resumed promptly.
The USAID freeze has also compounded difficulties in the Democratic Republic of Congo, dramatically affecting humanitarian work, as reported by the United Nations. In a significant budgetary move, Trump has initiated significant cuts to USAID's workforce, which numbers approximately 10,000, and suspended nearly all aid initiatives. Despite widespread criticism, both Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk have branded the agency as incompetent, with Musk labeling it a "criminal organization."
The WHO has been forced to implement emergency measures to temporarily fill the void of essential medical supplies, notably antiretroviral medication for HIV treatment. Dr. Meg Doherty from WHO has called for collaborative strategies to share medical resources among affected nations, but she admitted that these solutions are only short-term fixes.
The decision to freeze funding, coupled with steps to withdraw the US from the WHO, is causing ripples in international cooperation against health threats. As the largest contributor to the organization when under the Biden administration, the US withdrawal is anticipated to hinder collaboration on crucial health issues.
With the situation evolving, health experts are urging the Trump administration to reconsider the suspension of USAID funding to avert a global health catastrophe.
At a press conference in Geneva, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the critical need for immediate resumption of aid, stressing that programs to fight HIV, polio, mpox, and bird flu among others have faced significant setbacks. He noted the severe cessation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which has led to halts in HIV treatment and prevention services—potentially endangering the health outcomes of millions.
Dr. Tedros indicated that the ramifications have reached far and wide, with health clinics forced to close and healthcare workers laid off. He pointed out, “There are actions that the US government is taking... which we're concerned are having a serious impact on global health.” Experts in the field are echoing these concerns, warning of a forthcoming health crisis if aid is not resumed promptly.
The USAID freeze has also compounded difficulties in the Democratic Republic of Congo, dramatically affecting humanitarian work, as reported by the United Nations. In a significant budgetary move, Trump has initiated significant cuts to USAID's workforce, which numbers approximately 10,000, and suspended nearly all aid initiatives. Despite widespread criticism, both Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk have branded the agency as incompetent, with Musk labeling it a "criminal organization."
The WHO has been forced to implement emergency measures to temporarily fill the void of essential medical supplies, notably antiretroviral medication for HIV treatment. Dr. Meg Doherty from WHO has called for collaborative strategies to share medical resources among affected nations, but she admitted that these solutions are only short-term fixes.
The decision to freeze funding, coupled with steps to withdraw the US from the WHO, is causing ripples in international cooperation against health threats. As the largest contributor to the organization when under the Biden administration, the US withdrawal is anticipated to hinder collaboration on crucial health issues.
With the situation evolving, health experts are urging the Trump administration to reconsider the suspension of USAID funding to avert a global health catastrophe.
