America has separated itself from the World Health Organization (WHO). The flag of our country has also been removed from the organization’s headquarters in Geneva. The US Health and State Department issued a press statement confirming the decision of the Trump government and informed that America is now out of WHO, but will pay dues of Rs 2380 crore to the organization. President Donald Trump has signed and implemented an executive order in this regard.
Let us tell you that a year ago, on the very first day of starting his second term, Trump had given notice to America to exit this organization through an executive order. According to US law, the US has to give one year’s notice before leaving the World Health Organization and pay all outstanding fees.
America currently owes WHO about $260 million (about Rs 2380 crore). However, legal experts say the chances of the money being repaid are slim and the World Health Organization does not have much choice. Experts have warned that America’s exit from the organization will harm public health around the world.
US government funding ends
On Thursday, the US Department of Health and Human Services said that all US government funding deployed to WHO has been terminated and all employees and contractors deployed to the organization have been recalled.
It also said the US has ceased official participation in WHO’s sponsor committees, leadership bodies, governance structures and technical working groups. A senior health official said, ‘We have no plans to participate as observers and do not plan to participate again.’
America was the biggest source of funds
Experts have said that America’s decision to withdraw from WHO will not only affect the organization, but America and the entire world will be affected by it. There will be a budget crisis for the organization. Because the United States was the organization’s largest economic partner and the organization received about 18 percent of its total funding from the United States, this will no longer be available, which will weaken the system designed to detect, prevent, and respond to threats.