US President Donald Trump has today announced that the United States is severing ties with the World Health Organization over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
The move means African Countries that benefit from hundreds of millions in funding from the United Nations agency will receive less as the U.S contributes most of the funds. The WHO has lost the funding at a time when it needs it most, with the Coronavirus pandemic in many parts of the world yet to reach its peak.
The action could also impair the global response to COVID-19. The WHO is the central coordinating body for global public health emergencies.
Trump had initially suspended funding to the WHO last month, citing the organization was being lenient on China, where the virus emerged late last year. He had also said WHO was overly trusting on their early information about the spread of the coronavirus. He also took issue with the WHO’s criticism of travel bans
“China has total control over World Health Organization,” Trump said today. “We have detailed to them the reforms that they must make and engaged with them directly but they have refused to act.”
The U.S is by far WHO’s biggest contributor, pumping in $400 million last year. “Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization,” Trump told reporters.
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