• WHO officials warn funding cuts are impacting healthcare responses globally.
• The U.S. has failed to meet its financial obligations to the WHO.
• Conflicts in Gaza and Sudan are severely affecting healthcare infrastructures.
• Experts suggest re-evaluating the effectiveness of the WHO and exploring alternatives.
• The potential consequences of U.S. withdrawal from the WHO could hinder global health communication.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing significant challenges due to funding cuts, notably from the United States, which has historically been its largest donor. Since President Trump took office, foreign aid funding has effectively been frozen, leading to fears that these cutbacks will exacerbate already critical humanitarian crises globally. Officials from the WHO have expressed concerns that these reductions threaten vital healthcare programs, with WHO regional director Hanan Balkhy stating, “Many of these programmes have now stopped or are not going to be able to continue” due to the loss of U.S. support, which has directly impacted healthcare system rehabilitation efforts, particularly in conflict zones such as Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen, according to SCMP.

Moreover, the WHO reported it is facing a budget deficit of $1.9 billion and is struggling with a carried-over deficit of $600 million that could inhibit its efficiency in responding to health crises. Echoing these sentiments, Balkhy highlighted that areas like Gaza have seen their healthcare infrastructure suffer immensely amidst ongoing conflict, where “the emergency medical team support, procurement of the medications and the rehabilitation of the healthcare facilities” have all been adversely affected by the U.S. funding freeze, according to Channel News Asia.

In Sudan, the WHO is grappling with escalating health challenges amid a civil war, which has displaced millions and led to multiple disease outbreaks, including malaria, dengue, and cholera. Balkhy noted, “We work significantly to identify emerging and re-emerging pathogens to keep the Sudanese safe,” indicating that U.S. aid cuts will hinder essential surveillance and disease detection efforts, which ultimately impacts global public health safety, as reported by Channel News Asia.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about the potential effects of a U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, which may disrupt established communication channels crucial for addressing global health emergencies. Experts suggest that this could impede information sharing necessary for controlling pandemics. A notable commentary in The Hill emphasizes the need for a re-evaluation of the WHO's effectiveness, especially since funding issues have been an ongoing concern, echoing sentiments of organizations like the CDC’s inconsistent performance throughout recent health crises.