President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO) has resulted in the agency losing its largest financial backer. For the two-year budget ending in 2025, the United States was set to contribute a significant $958 million, making up nearly 15% of WHO’s total $6.5 billion budget. A large portion of this funding, as well as most of WHO’s budget, comes from voluntary contributions.

WHO assesses membership fees based on the gross domestic product (GDP) of its member countries. However, voluntary donations are a crucial source of funding for designated health issues. Voluntary contributions account for about 70% of WHO’s budget, which can hinder the organization’s ability to independently set its health priorities.

In 2022, WHO member nations agreed to reform the financing model to reduce reliance on voluntary donations, aiming for membership fees to make up about half of the budget by 2030. Despite these reforms, the US’s exit leaves a substantial gap.

As the UN’s specialized health agency, WHO plays a vital role in managing global health crises, including outbreaks of diseases like Ebola, polio, and mpox. It also aids poorer nations with medical supplies, vaccines, and technical support for various health conditions.

Here’s a list of WHO’s top contributors:

  • US: $958 million
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: $689 million
  • Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance: $500 million
  • European Commission: $412 million

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