The Digest:
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), one year after President Donald Trump issued an executive order to exit the global health body. The withdrawal took effect on January 22, 2026, following the mandatory notice period. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed regret, calling the move "a loss for the United States and also a loss for the rest of the world." The U.S. has not settled its outstanding financial obligations, but the WHO lacks the enforcement power to prevent the exit. The departure has forced the WHO to cut its management team by half and scale back operations due to the loss of its largest funder.
Key Points:
- The withdrawal creates a severe funding gap, jeopardizing the WHO's capacity to respond to global health emergencies and coordinate international efforts.
- It marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, retreating from a leadership role in multilateral global health governance.
- The move weakens international pandemic preparedness and collaborative health security frameworks at a critical time.
- It sets a precedent that may encourage other nations to disengage from or challenge multilateral institutions.
- The outstanding financial dues highlight tensions between member state obligations and the enforcement limitations of international organizations.
The global health community now faces the challenge of adapting to a diminished WHO while urging the U.S. to reconsider its position in future administrations.
Sources: Vanguard Newspaper, Guardian
