US Completes Withdrawal From WHO

The United States has completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed last week. President Donald Trump first announced the country’s planned departure from WHO in January 2025, citing the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In line with the country’s withdrawal, the U.S. is no longer contributing funding to WHO, has withdrawn all personnel working with WHO and began pivoting activities previously conducted with WHO to direct bilateral engagements with other countries. HHS said the U.S. will coordinate with WHO only in a limited capacity to complete the withdrawal process.

In a statement issued Sunday, WHO expressed regret over the U.S. decision while emphasizing its ongoing global mission.

“We hope that in the future, the United States will return to active participation in WHO,” the statement noted. “Meanwhile, WHO remains steadfastly committed to working with all countries in pursuit of its core mission and constitutional mandate: the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental right for all people.”