US EditionWHO chief says reasons U.S. gave for withdrawing 'untrue'
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus dismissed U.S. claims on COVID-19 response as false and highlighted unresolved issues over unpaid dues totaling about $260 million.
- On January 22, 2026, the United States formally withdrew from the World Health Organization, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- U.S. officials said the withdrawal followed a January 2025 executive order, citing WHO failures during the COVID-19 pandemic and protecting American sovereignty.
- World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the reasons cited by Washington are untrue and emphasized WHO acted quickly, shared information rapidly, and never recommended mandates or lockdowns.
- The WHO said the notification raises issues and will be examined by the WHO Executive Board next month and the World Health Assembly in May, while the United States owes $278 million in unpaid dues, NPR reported.
- Experts warn the loss of U.S. membership could weaken surveillance and coordination, noting WHO systems run 24/7 to support early detection and responses.
106 Articles
106 Articles
Critics warn of reduced disease preparedness as US formally exits World Health Organization
The United States formally withdrew from the World Health Organization after President Donald Trump cited the agency’s handling of COVID-19, alleged failures to reform and what he has described as excessive Chinese influence. Global health experts say the Thursday move weakens American safety and scientific capacity more than it addresses those concerns [1].
America’s WHO exit leaves a leadership vacuum
Seventy-eight years after helping found the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States has formally withdrawn from the agency, following through on a pledge President Donald Trump made on his first day back in office.In a joint statement last week, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of State said the WHO had "abandoned its core mission,” and repeatedly acted against US interests. The administration point…
U.S. Formally Completes Withdrawal From World Health Organization
by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The United States has formally completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, citing the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, failure to implement meaningful reforms, and what U.S. officials described as undue political influence by member states. The announcement was made jointly Thursday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Ser…
World Health Organization says US withdrawal makes the nation and the world 'less safe'
The World Health Organization claimed that the United States withdrawal makes the country and the entire globe "less safe" and that it hopes the U.S. "will return to active participation in WHO."
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