U.S President Donald Trump has reignited his war with the World Health Organization (WHO) this time threatening to permanently cut out U.S funding to the organization if WHO will not commit to improvements within 30 days.
In the letter addressed to WHO’s Chief, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and posted on Twitter, Trump further threatens to consider withdrawing membership United States to the organization.
“If the WHO does not commit to major substantive improvements within the next 30 days, I will make my temporary freeze of United States funding to the WHO permanent and reconsider our membership,” read Trump’s Tweet.
Last month, Trump withdrew U.S funding to WHO after largely accusing the body of simply accepting China’s misinformation concerning coronavirus without doing any due diligence. Officials from WHO strongly denied the accusations further claiming China was open and transparent on the matter from the start.
Around two weeks ago, Trump changed tune and applauded WHO for a job very well done and that he would soon make a decision concerning U.S funding.
In the letter, Trump makes it clear the only way WHO will assure its credibility to him is by proving the organization is independent from China. Trump says his government is currently having negotiations with Tedros.
On the other hand, WHO says immediately it receives hefty pledge of funds from China, I will initiate an independent global review to establish origin of the virus.
Last year, the U.S contributed over $400 million to WHO which translates to about 15% of the organizations total budget. According to Senior U.S government officials, year to date U.S has contributed $58 million to WHO.
Normally, the United States pumps millions of dollars each year into WHO voluntarily, the organizations uses its funds in programs like vaccine preventable diseases, polio vaccination, HIV, maternal health among other health concerns.
