WHO Again Reveals Serious Impact Of US Aid Fund Cuts, Health Crisis Is Getting Worse!

WHO illustration considers cutting US health funds (Freepic)

JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) has again opened its voice regarding the cuts in foreign aid funds carried out by the United States (US). This has an impact on humanitarian aid around the world, especially health.

As is known, the US has long been the WHO's largest donor and has not paid its dues for 2024. Until now, it is still unknown that the US will clearly fulfill its obligations or not for 2025.

However, the US stance has made WHO face a major deficit this year, and has reduced its budget by a fifth. This makes the world health crisis even worse, with various important programs forced to be stopped due to insufficient funds.

"WHO and its partners play an important role in maintaining the health care system, rehabilitating health care systems, training and sending emergency medical teams, as well as pre-employment of trauma equipment," said WHO regional director Hanan Balhky for the Eastern Mediterranean, quoted from CNA, on Monday, April 21, 2025.

"Many of the existing programs have stopped or will not be continued," he added.

The fund cuts are likely to further hamper WHO's ability to provide great assistance to people who really need treatment.

Such as assistance against the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen, whose health care agencies and aid programs are already under pressure.

"Support from the emergency medical team, the procurement of medicines, and the rehabilitation of health care facilities, all of which were immediately affected by the suspension of support from the Army," he said.

The exit of the US from WHO members and its funding cuts will also weaken long-standing communication channels with leading research facilities, universities, and US-centric public health institutions.

This has resulted in preventing the spread of information and research. In fact, information and research are very important to prevent the global public health crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic which some time ago emerged.