USA: Trump's suspension of WHO funding is 'reckless'

Congress must halt Trump administration’s plan to suspend vital funding to the global health body

Move is apparent attempt to ‘distract’ from criticisms levelled at US Government over its coronavirus response

‘President Trump is undermining global efforts to protect people from one of the worst health crises in over a century’ - Erika Guevara-Rosas

Responding to Donald Trump’s announcement that the USA will halt funding to the World Health Organisation pending the US administration’s review of the global health body’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Americas Director, said:

“In trying to distract from criticisms of his own administration´s response, President Trump is undermining global efforts to protect people from one of the worst health crises in over a century.

 

“This crisis can only be solved through collective effort. COVID-19 does not respect borders, and Trump’s withdrawal will harm the United States as well as other countries fighting the virus.

“While other world leaders are pledging more support to the WHO, President Trump’s proposal to slash their resources at this moment of crisis will undermine efforts to save lives and halt the spread of the virus.

“The WHO cannot do its job if it is held hostage to the whims of powerful states, and other countries must do all they can to ensure this reckless decision does not hamper the fight against COVID-19.

 

“The Trump administration should immediately reconsider its suspension of funding. Congress should also take immediate action to halt any measures which reverse the United States’ longstanding commitment to protecting international public health.

“History will judge harshly those who play with people’s lives for their own political gain.”

USA’s withdrawal from UN initiatives

The WHO is the primary international body with a mandate to support global public health. In addition to playing a key role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, it implements numerous programmes to prevent, control, and treat Ebola, measles, malaria, HIV and AIDS, and many other diseases. The USA is currently the WHO’s largest contributor.

 

Under President Trump, the USA has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council, the UN cultural agency (UNESCO) and the global accord to tackle climate change.