The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing a $1.9 billion shortfall for the period 2026-2027, as well as a further $600 million deficit to 2025, according to recent press reports.
In an independent non-profit reporting on global health matters, Health Policy Watch puts this $1.9 billion shortfall at close to 45% of WHO's already slashed budget for the two-year period to 2027.
Quoting WHO officials from the Tuesday meeting, the report also pointed out that the United States has a backlog of $260 million in payments for 2024 and 2025. WHO Assistant Director-General of Business Operations Raul Thomas revealed that the last US administration under Joe Biden left the White House with unpaid dues for 2024 amounting to $130 million. The report, first presented by Xinhua News Agency, reported this fact from Health Policy Watch.
In a Zoom virtual meeting with WHO staff, Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus signaled that reductions in force will be forthcoming. "Beginning at the top of senior leadership but will encompass all levels and areas," he declared.
Tedros went on to say that "everything is on the table, including consolidating divisions, departments, and units, and transferring functions."
After the US government announced it would be withdrawing from WHO, the organization had to reduce its budget for the 2026-2027 period from $5.3 billion to $4.2 billion.
Figures from WHO verify that the US contributed the highest share—22%—of its regular budget for 2024-2025.
On 20th January, just after taking office, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to start the withdrawal of the nation from WHO. This move will only come into effect once a one-year notice period has expired.
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