The World Health Organization (WHO) is requesting a $1.5 billion emergency fund after the United States formally withdrew from the organization on January 20.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei also ordered his country to leave the WHO, following the lead of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The departure of yet another member nation will further slash WHO funding by $8 million.
The U.S. withdrawal dealt the WHO a major financial blow, as the United States had been its largest single contributor, providing over $1 billion annually.
With the U.S. exit, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation now stands as the WHO’s largest individual donor.
Potential Exits from the WHO
Italy: Members of Italy’s right-wing coalition have floated the idea of following Trump’s move and leaving the WHO. However, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has yet to confirm her official stance.
Slovakia: Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government has considered banning mRNA vaccines and has also mulled the idea of pulling out of the WHO as part of its anti-globalist agenda.
Kenya: Kenya’s administration is exploring alternatives now that the U.S. has left the WHO. The government has been critical of Western foreign aid into Africa and has expressed support for African financial independence.
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta criticized African leaders for “crying” over Trump’s executive order to cut foreign aid.
