US withdraws from WHO over COVID-19 response, turns to bilateral health partnerships
US withdraws from WHO over COVID-19 response, turns to bilateral health partnerships
M.U.H
23/01/202639
The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), bringing an end to nearly eight decades of membership in the global health body.
The move follows an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on his first day back in office. The administration says the decision was driven by the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and what it describes as a steady drift away from the organisation’s original mandate.
The US was a founding member of the WHO in 1948 and has long been its largest financial contributor. The withdrawal marks a decisive shift in Washington’s engagement with international health institutions.
Administration blames pandemic failures and politicisation
In a joint statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said the exit was intended to release the United States from the organisation’s influence.
“Today, the United States withdrew from the World Health Organization (WHO), freeing itself from its constraints, as President Trump promised on his first day in office by signing E.O. 14155,” the statement said. “This action responds to the WHO’s failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to rectify the harm from those failures inflicted on the American people.”
The administration accused the WHO of failing to act independently during the pandemic, alleging delays in sharing critical information and a growing dependence on political interests opposed to those of the United States.
According to the statement, these shortcomings may have contributed to loss of life in the US and were later obscured “under the pretext of acting ‘in the interest of public health.’”
The administration also pointed to tensions following the withdrawal announcement. It said the WHO refused to return the American flag displayed at its headquarters and claimed the organisation had not formally okayed the US exit.
“From our days as its primary founder, primary financial backer, and primary champion until now, our final day, the insults to America continue,” the statement said.
Funding ends, focus shifts to bilateral health partnerships
The administration confirmed that all US funding and staffing linked to WHO programmes have been terminated. Any remaining engagement will be limited to completing the withdrawal process and protecting domestic public health interests.
At the same time, Washington said it would continue to take part in global health efforts outside the WHO framework.
“We will continue to work with countries and trusted health institutions to share best practices, strengthen preparedness, and protect our communities,” the statement said, describing the WHO as a “bloated and inefficient bureaucracy.”
The administration said the decision was also intended as recognition of Americans affected by the pandemic, including those who died in nursing homes and businesses hit by prolonged restrictions.
“Our withdrawal is for them,” the statement said.
The decision reflects years of criticism from Washington over the WHO’s response to COVID-19 and signals a broader rethinking of US participation in multilateral health bodies.
