WHO Chief Appeals Member Countries for $2.1B Budget Amid US Funding Cuts

The World Health Organization (WHO) is appealing to member countries to support its $2.1 billion annual budget request, which WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus describes as "extremely modest" compared to global military expenditures and tobacco industry advertising costs. The appeal follows the United States' decision to halt funding, traditionally making it WHO's largest donor, a move Tedros has called a "mistake" and urged Washington to reconsider. The requested budget is 22% less than initially planned due to funding cuts, and although WHO has secured about 60% of the required funds, it still faces a $1.7 billion shortfall. Tedros highlighted the budget's significance by comparing it to the cost of one stealth bomber and emphasized WHO's extensive work on the ground in 150 countries. The U.S. confirmed it would not participate in the World Health Assembly, underscoring the strained relationship amid funding disputes. Despite challenges in mobilizing resources, WHO stresses the importance of its mission amid global health threats and critiques the disparity in spending priorities worldwide.