WHO Cuts

The decision by the United States to withdraw funding from the WHO has sent shockwaves through global health circles, with the agency now forced to slash its budget by a stagger­ing 20%. This is not just a bureaucratic reshuffling—it is a direct hit to crucial public health initiatives worldwide. From pandemic pre­paredness to disease eradication efforts, the ramifications of this move will be profound and far-reaching.

The immediate concern is the disruption of vital health pro­grammes, particularly in lower-income nations that rely on support for immunisation, disease surveillance, and emergency response mechanisms. However, the larger, more alarming issue is what this means for future health crises. The COVID-19 pandemic was a stark reminder that global coordination is non-negotiable when it comes to handling outbreaks.



Experts have long warned that given the damage humans have inflicted on the environment, pandemics will become more frequent in our lifetime. Weakening WHO at such a critical juncture is nothing short of reckless. Institutions like WHO exist to ensure that early warning systems are in place, that research is shared, and that a globally coordinated response can be mounted to mitigate the human and economic cost of future pandemics.

The loss of US funding means fewer resources for rapid response teams, and a slower global reaction time to emerging health threats. World Bank Group BoD okays $300m IDA loan for Punjab Clean Air Programme This move is yet another nail in the coffin of America’s self-pro­claimed moral superiority. The global order is changing, and the world is increasingly calling out Washington’s self-serving policies.

The US, in its bid to maintain hegemony, is actively weakening mul­tilateral institutions, a strategy that will inevitably backfire. The loss of credibility is already evident—what remains to be seen is how long the superpower can continue pretending to lead while disman­tling the very systems that sustain global stability. Tags: cuts.