The U.S. has exited the WHO without paying a debt of $260 million 0 11

The U.S. has completed the procedure to exit the World Health Organization (WHO). The corresponding statement was published on Thursday, January 22, on the website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. At the same time, as reported by Bloomberg and Reuters, U.S. authorities have not paid a debt to the organization amounting to about $260 million. The AP agency estimates it at over $130 million.

The American side explained its exit from the WHO by citing the organization's "inadequate response to the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China, its inability to urgently implement necessary reforms, and to demonstrate independence from improper political influence by WHO member states."

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order indicating the country's intention to exit the WHO on January 20, 2025 - the very first day after returning to the White House. Reuters and Bloomberg explain the completion of the exit from the organization a year later by the requirements of U.S. legislation: notification of such plans must be sent 12 months in advance. The law, as the agencies point out, also requires the payment of all outstanding fees.

The U.S. refused to make payments to the WHO

U.S. authorities did not pay the World Health Organization before exiting the organization. According to various estimates, the country's debt to the institution ranges from $130 million to $260 million. In a joint statement from the Department of Health and the State Department, it was noted that for a year the U.S. did not fund WHO projects and did not make contributions. "The American people have paid more than enough," a State Department representative emphasized in this regard.

As Reuters points out, the U.S. was the largest sponsor of the WHO, contributing about 18% of the organization's total funding. Against the backdrop of the U.S. exit plans, the WHO will reduce about a quarter of its staff by mid-2026.