Key takeaways from the recent analysis on WHO funding:

• The U.S. is the largest contributor to WHO, projected to donate $958 million, which is nearly 15% of its total budget.
• About 70% of WHO's budget comes from voluntary contributions, complicating the agency’s ability to prioritize health initiatives.
• Countries are encouraged to reform WHO's funding model to ensure that member fees account for a larger portion of the agency's budget by 2030.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) braces for a challenging future, the recent decision by former U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw from the agency has left a significant funding vacuum. For the upcoming two-year budget, ending in 2025, the United States was expected to contribute approximately $958 million, making up nearly 15% of WHO's total estimated budget of $6.5 billion. Most of the U.S. donation originates from voluntary contributions, which are crucial, as about 70% of the WHO’s budget relies on similar donations from member nations and other entities. This reliance on voluntary funding raises concerns regarding the agency's autonomy in managing health priorities, as donor interests can heavily influence its initiatives.

In 2022, WHO member states reached a consensus to reform the agency's financing model, aiming for membership fees to constitute roughly half of WHO's budget by 2030. This change is pivotal as WHO plays an essential role in responding to global health threats, including those posed by diseases such as mpox, Ebola, and polio. The organization also provides vital support to low-income countries through vaccine distribution and technical guidance on various health issues.

The implications of the U.S. withdrawal are profound, especially for ongoing health efforts worldwide. Following the announcement, U.S. public health officials were instructed to sever ties with WHO immediately, signaling a stark shift in collaboration.

The top donors to the WHO remain critical to its operations; besides the U.S., the list includes organizations and nations such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ($689 million), Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance ($500 million), and the European Commission ($412 million), among others. The urgent need for a stable funding model has never been clearer as WHO navigates an increasingly complex global health landscape.