WHO Faces Major Budget Crunch After U.S. Pulls Out
WHO Faces Major Budget Crunch After U.S. Pulls Out
By [Alex jasper] — January 22, 2026
The World Health Organization is staring down a serious budget crisis. On January 22, 2026, the United States left the agency for good, and that move is shaking up the world of global health funding.
The U.S. has always been the WHO’s biggest government backer, kicking in about 18 percent of the total budget—hundreds of millions every year. Now, with the U.S. gone and no more money coming, the WHO has had to act fast. Budgets are getting slashed and operations trimmed. A bunch of programs have already been scaled back, and leaders warn even deeper cuts are on the way.
Staff and Management on the Chopping Block
To deal with the sudden cash shortage, the WHO started restructuring right away. They’ve already cut their management team in half, and more layoffs are coming. If the funding gap doesn’t close soon, up to a quarter of the staff could be out by the middle of 2026.
Leaders at the agency say these are tough choices, but they’re necessary if the WHO wants to keep its doors open after losing such a huge donor. Still, public health experts are worried. They’re asking how the WHO can keep doing its job with so many people and programs cut.
Core Programs Take a Hit
The fallout from the U.S. withdrawal runs deep. Emergency health teams and outbreak response units now have fewer resources to work with. There’s less money for fighting infectious diseases—things like TB, HIV/AIDS, and preventable illnesses could all get less attention.
The squeeze is hitting technical support for low- and middle-income countries too. That kind of help is crucial for building better health systems and staying ready for the next pandemic, but now it’s on the chopping block.
To plug the funding hole, member countries are talking about raising their own fees and drumming up more voluntary donations. There’s even talk of cutting back on core spending and moving money to the programs that need it most.
Global Reaction and What’s Next
People around the world are worried. Health officials and activists say these budget cuts could have ripple effects everywhere. The WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, keeps urging countries to stick together and keep global health a priority. Experts warn that if the WHO can’t do its job, the world’s ability to spot and handle health emergencies—especially in the most vulnerable places—takes a real hit.
Critics of the cuts say that without strong international teamwork and steady funding, we’re all at greater risk from future pandemics, and progress on public health could stall out.
Looking Forward
Right now, the WHO is at a crossroads. Member countries and partners are scrambling to find new ways to fund the organization. The challenge is clear: balance the budget, but don’t lose sight of the mission. The way the WHO handles this could reshape global health for years to come.
