The freezing of the US contributions towards the fund of the World Health Organisation (WHO) by President Donald Trump could not come at a worse time. The US President blamed the world health body with failure to act swiftly enough to help contain the spread of the virus from China’s Wuhan where it first broke out. The US president has tried to find logic for his action. Earlier he had threatened the world health body with this action for what he termed as it being too China-centric. But analysts find the president’s action as an attempt to divert attention from the allegation that his administration’s coronavirus policy and actions came too late before it took gigantic proportions.
Now the US is the worst-hit country in the world in both the number of people infected and the death toll. He started facing harsh criticisms and finally came up with such an action, which can only be termed as the most unpopular move he has ever taken. Because his action against the world health body has come at a time when the whole world it at war with the virus under WHO’s leadership and also because the move would affect not only the United States but also the rest of the world.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi strongly criticized President Trump saying, “Americans must ignore lies and start to listen to scientists and other respected professionals in order to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” she said in a statement.
She said the president “ignored… warnings, took insufficient action and caused unnecessary death and disaster”, adding that shortages of tests and protective equipment were threatening lives.
The WHO has said that its focus now is entirely on the war against the virus. Earlier The UN secretary-general has called for not politicizing the fight against coronavirus.
President Trump’s move came at a time when about half of the coronavirus cases (619,331) cases are in his country and the death toll 27,176 is the highest among the countries fighting the menace.
As reported by BBC News, The United States’ $400m represents just under 15% of the total WHO “programme budget” for 2018/19.
The WHO is funded by member states (there are 194, plus two associate members) and outside donations.
The “membership fees” (known as “assessed contributions”) are calculated relative to wealth and population.
So for 2020/21, Afghanistan’s membership fee is $33,500 – 0.007% of the membership fee total. The United States’ is $116m – 22% of the membership fee total.
However, the “assessed contributions” make up less than a quarter of WHO funding. Voluntary donations, from countries and other groups, make up the rest.
This chart from the WHO shows its revenue for 2018/19. By providing $400m, the US was by far the biggest contributor, followed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK.
The contribution was substantial no doubt. But by withholding the contribution President Trump is doing a disservice to the world health body and humanity. At a crucial time when the world is under lockdown. All well-meaning people can only hope that good sense will prevail and President Trump will consider reversing this decision.
