US officially leaves World Health Organization

January 23, 2026

The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, ceasing all funding, recalling personnel from WHO facilities, and suspending hundreds of collaborative engagements. President Trump initiated the withdrawal process a year ago through executive order, citing concerns that the organization was too influenced by China and mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic. The US has stopped paying its membership dues for 2024 and 2025, totaling approximately $260 million in arrears, resulting in significant job losses at the WHO.

Who is affected

The World Health Organization (WHO) and its employees (experiencing job losses)
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
US government personnel and contractors previously working with WHO
American citizens and global populations benefiting from WHO health programs
WHO member states participating in disease surveillance and pandemic preparedness
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Countries that partnered with the US through WHO initiatives on polio, HIV/AIDS, and other health programs

What action is being taken

The US has officially withdrawn from the WHO
All US government funding to WHO has been terminated
US personnel and contractors have been recalled from WHO headquarters in Geneva and worldwide offices
Hundreds of US engagements with WHO have been suspended or discontinued
The WHO is placing the US withdrawal on the agenda for its upcoming board meeting (February 2-7)

Why it matters

This withdrawal removes one of the WHO's largest financial contributors and most influential members, significantly weakening the organization's funding and operational capacity. The loss of US participation undermines global coordination on disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness, vaccine development (including annual flu vaccines), and efforts to combat diseases like polio and HIV/AIDS. The withdrawal creates uncertainty about international health cooperation during future health crises and may reduce information sharing between countries. This decision also signals a major shift in America's approach to multilateral health cooperation, potentially fragmenting global health governance at a time when coordinated responses to pandemics and infectious diseases remain critical.

What's next

The WHO board will discuss the US withdrawal at its meeting scheduled for February 2-7
The WHO secretariat will act according to advice from its governing bodies
The US plans to establish bilateral relations with individual countries for disease surveillance and pathogen sharing (though specific countries have not yet been identified)
The US intends to partner with NGOs and faith-based groups to continue work on global health issues like polio and HIV (though no specific partnerships have been established yet)
Limited US engagement with WHO will continue strictly to facilitate the withdrawal and protect American health and safety

Read full article from source: BBC