US to exit WHO and wipe off 20% of its budget
On his first day back in the White House, Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the process for the United States to leave the World Health Organization (WHO).
This marks Donald Trump’s second attempt to withdraw from the WHO, following a similar move during his first term. The president has sharply criticized the agency’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its guidance, accusing it of failing to address global health crises effectively.
The executive order states: "The U.S. is withdrawing due to the organization's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states."
The U.S. departure would deal a significant blow to the Geneva-based health agency, which relies on the U.S. for one-fifth of its annual budget of 6.8 billion dollars.
(QG - Source: BBC / Picture: © Unsplash)