President Donald Trump announced that he will halt the U.S.’s funding to the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the UN agency of mismanaging and covering up the virus’ spread. However, Trump’s decision sparked criticisms from various parties such as House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi as well as China.
“I am directing my administration to halt funding while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization's role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus,” Donald Trump announced at a White House news conference on Tuesday, BBC reported.
The U.S. President accused the WHO of failing its basic duty. “The WHO failed in its basic duty and must be held accountable,” Trump said. “The outbreak could have been contained at its source.”
The Trump administration will conduct a review, which could last from 60 to 90 days, and decided whether or not the U.S. should resume funding the UN agency. The U.S. is the largest source of funding for the WHO as it gave the organization more than $400 million for its 2018-2019 budget.
Donald Trump’s decision alarmed various sectors as they fear withholding the funding might affect the agency’s ability to effectively respond to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “Halting funding for the World Health Organization during a world health crisis is as dangerous as it sounds,” Bill Gates tweeted.
The Microsoft founder also highlighted the WHO’s importance in combating the pandemic. “Their work is slowing the spread of COVID-19 and if that work is stopped no other organization can replace them,” Gates added. “The world needs @WHO now more than ever.”
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi also criticized Trump’s decision calling it dangerous and senseless. “The President's halting of funding to the WHO as it leads the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic is senseless,” Pelosi said in a statement, according to Aljazeera.com. “This decision is dangerous, illegal and will be swiftly challenged.”
China also criticized Trump’s decision to halt funding to the U.N. agency. “This U.S. decision will weaken the WHO’s capabilities and undermine international cooperation,” foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday, Bloomberg reported. “China will as always support the WHO in playing an important role in international public health and global anti-epidemic response.”