Close Menu
Africa SDG's News Network
  • News
  • Diplomacy
  • World
  • Green Economy
  • Opinion
What's Hot

UN Chief Urges G20 Leaders to Tackle Global Hunger Crisis

January 24, 2025

Hunger crisis threatens one in four in DR Congo

January 24, 2025

WHO chief to cut costs, reset priorities after US exit, document shows

January 24, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Thursday, June 12
Trending
  • UN Chief Urges G20 Leaders to Tackle Global Hunger Crisis
  • Hunger crisis threatens one in four in DR Congo
  • WHO chief to cut costs, reset priorities after US exit, document shows
  • Davos 2025: What to expect at this year’s World Economic Forum
  • SDGs in 2024: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward
Africa SDG's News NetworkAfrica SDG's News Network
  • News
  • Diplomacy
  • World
  • Green Economy
  • Opinion
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Africa SDG's News Network
WHO chief to cut costs, reset priorities after US exit, document shows
Diplomacy

WHO chief to cut costs, reset priorities after US exit, document shows

Samuel OheneBy Samuel OheneJanuary 24, 2025Updated:January 24, 2025No Comments2 Mins Read
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus looks on during a press conference with the Association of Accredited Correspondents at the United Nations (ACANU) at the World Health Organization's headquarters in Geneva, on December 10, 2024 (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

he World Health Organization will cut costs and review which health programmes to prioritise after President Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing the U.S. from the agency, the WHO’s chief told staff in an internal memo seen by Reuters.

Trump made the move on the first day of his second term in office on Monday, accusing the U.N. health agency of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.

“This announcement has made our financial situation more acute…,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in the memo dated Jan. 23. It said the WHO planned to significantly reduce travel expenditure and halt recruitment, except for critical areas, as part of cost-saving measures.

A WHO spokesperson confirmed the memo – first reported by Reuters – was authentic but declined to comment further.

The United Nations confirmed on Thursday that the United States was due to withdraw from the WHO on Jan. 22, 2026.

The United States is by far the WHO’s biggest financial backer, contributing around 18% of its overall funding. WHO’s most recent two-year budget, for 2024-2025, was $6.8 billion.

The memo said the WHO had already worked to reform the organization and change how it is funded, with member states increasing their mandatory fees and contributing to its investment round launched last year.

But it said more funding would be needed and costs would have to be cut simultaneously. This would include making all meetings virtual by default without exceptional approval, limiting the replacement of IT equipment, and suspending office refurbishments unless linked to safety or already approved cost-cutting.

“This set of measures is not comprehensive, and more will be announced in due course,” the memo reads, adding that the Geneva-based WHO would do everything it could to support and protect staff.

“As always, you make me proud to be WHO,” the memo ends.

TRUMP USA WHO
Samuel Ohene
  • Website

Related Posts

Davos 2025: What to expect at this year’s World Economic Forum

January 24, 2025

Five key takeaways from UNCBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia

November 11, 2024

 Raila Odinga Affirms Commitment to Kenyan Politics Despite AU Appointment

May 7, 2024

US Congress to Consider Including MENA Community in Federal Data Collection

March 19, 2024
Add A Comment

Comments are closed.

Latest Posts

UN Chief Urges G20 Leaders to Tackle Global Hunger Crisis

January 24, 2025

Hunger crisis threatens one in four in DR Congo

January 24, 2025

WHO chief to cut costs, reset priorities after US exit, document shows

January 24, 2025

Your preferred source of African news on SDG's and its related information. Promoting growth and sustainability across Africa.

We're social. Connect with us:

Facebook Instagram X (Twitter)
Quick Menu
  • News
  • Diplomacy
  • World
  • Green Economy
  • Opinion

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from Africa SDG's News, delivered exclusivly to your inbox.

© 2025 African SDG's News. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.