WHO Director-General to cut costs and redefine priorities after US withdrawal, document shows.
Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization.
Reuters - The World Health Organization will cut costs and review which health programs should be prioritized after President Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing the United States from the agency, the WHO director-general told staff in an internal memo seen by Reuters.
Trump ordered the measure on the first day of his second term on Monday, accusing the UN health agency of mishandling the Covid-19 pandemic and other international health crises.
"This announcement has made our financial situation more serious," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a memorandum dated January 23. He said the WHO plans to significantly reduce travel expenses and suspend recruitment, except for critical areas, as part of cost-saving measures.
A WHO spokesperson confirmed that the memo – first reported by Reuters – is authentic, but declined to comment further.
The United Nations confirmed on Thursday that the United States must withdraw from the WHO on January 22, 2026.
The United States is by far the largest financial sponsor of the WHO, contributing about 18% of its total funding. The WHO's most recent biennial budget, for 2024-2025, was $6,8 billion.
The memo stated that the WHO had already worked to reform the organization and change how it is funded, with member states increasing their mandatory fees and contributing to its investment round launched last year.
However, the document states that more funding would be needed and that costs would have to be cut simultaneously. This would include making all meetings virtual by default without exceptional approval, limiting the replacement of IT equipment, and suspending office renovations unless they are linked to security or already approved cost cuts.
"This set of measures is not comprehensive, and others will be announced in due course," the memo says, adding that the WHO, based in Geneva, will do everything possible to support and protect staff.
"As always, you make me proud to be part of the WHO," the memo concludes.
