The World Health Organization witnessed a big blow to its budget when the United States announced its intention to withdraw from the institution on the first day the current Trump administration took the helm. The U.S. exit could mean an immediate loss of one-fifth of its budget, jeopardizing crucial health programs.
The U.S. withdrawal significantly hinders WHO's financial stability. In 2022, member states had aimed to increase assessed contributions — the most flexible type of resources for international organizations — from $956.9 million to $2.182 billion by 2028-2029. This goal now appears to be unattainable. The shortfall is unlikely to be offset by other donors, who are facing their own budget constraints and shifting priorities, such as increased defense spending, as seen in the United Kingdom.
Still, despite pessimists predicting a WHO demise due to its current budget crisis, history suggests otherwise. Past funding cuts have not crippled WHO or similar international organizations, demonstrating their strong resilience to external pressures.