The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged the significant impact of the United States’ freeze on foreign aid funding, which has disrupted critical global health programs. Despite this setback, the UN health agency remains committed to sustaining essential services for those in need.
Impact of US Aid Freeze
While the full extent of the US funding suspension is yet to be determined, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris confirmed on Tuesday that some programs have already been affected. Among them is the global measles surveillance network, which was entirely funded by the United States.
“There is a big shortfall,” Harris told reporters in Geneva. “We’re not going to let it collapse, but finding a way to keep it going is, of course, challenging.”
Challenges in Emergency Responses
The US aid freeze has also hampered WHO’s response to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in Uganda. Janet Diaz, head of the Safe Scalable Care unit at WHO’s emergencies program, highlighted that the agency had to step in to cover essential services, such as biological sample transport, logistics, and the deployment of surveillance teams.
To mitigate the funding gap, WHO has allocated $3.4 million from its emergency contingency fund to support the Ugandan government’s efforts.
Additionally, infection prevention and sanitation measures in emergency situations have been affected, prompting WHO to explore ways to maximize efficiency and collaborate with other organizations to sustain operations.
Commitment to Global Health
Despite the challenges, WHO remains resolute in its mission. “We won’t let the people of the planet down,” Harris affirmed. “We’re not going to just sit there and weep. We’re not going to just give up.”
Political Context
The aid freeze stems from an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump on his first day in office, imposing a 90-day suspension on foreign aid to reassess overseas spending. Since then, broader funding cuts have followed, with rights groups warning of severe consequences for millions worldwide.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, a vocal supporter of cost-cutting measures, defended the aid freeze, stating on X (formerly Twitter) that “no one has died as a result of a brief pause to do a sanity check on foreign aid funding. No one.”
Harris, however, cautioned against drawing premature conclusions. “It’s much too early to make those kinds of assessments,” she stated, emphasizing that a thorough evaluation would be required to determine the full impact of the cuts.
While uncertainties remain, WHO continues to seek alternative funding sources and strategic partnerships to sustain its critical global health programs.
