USAID suspension is disrupting global health programs in 50 countries – WHO warns 

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Wednesday that the U.S. pause on foreign aid contributions is having a serious impact on global health, particularly on programs fighting polio, HIV, and other health threats.

Speaking at a virtual press conference from Geneva, Tedros urged the U.S. government to reconsider its decision and resume aid funding until alternative solutions can be found.

“There are actions that the U.S. government is taking… which we’re concerned are having a serious impact on global health,” he said.

Efforts to tackle HIV, polio, mpox, and avian flu have been severely impacted by the U.S. foreign aid pause implemented by President Trump last month, shortly after taking office, while the programs undergo review.

“Clinics are shuttered, and health workers have been put on leave,” Tedros said, emphasizing that a reprieve for life-saving services has not prevented the disruption.

Trump’s funding suspension and the disengagement of U.S. institutions are affecting global health efforts, including the eradication of polio and the response to mpox.

“We ask the U.S. to consider continuing its funding at least until solutions can be found,” Tedros urged.

The WHO has limited information about the spread of avian influenza among dairy cattle in the U.S. or human cases. However, other WHO officials later clarified that the U.S. was still meeting its obligations to report cases under international health regulations.

Trump has argued that USAID is “incompetent and corrupt.” He recently announced massive cuts to the agency’s 10,000-strong workforce and an immediate suspension of almost all aid programs.

Tedros warned that Trump’s decision is now disrupting international cooperation on global health threats and reducing U.S. reporting on bird flu cases in humans.

To address critical shortages, the WHO has implemented emergency measures similar to those used during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes efforts to fill gaps in life-saving antiretroviral medications for HIV treatment.

Meg Doherty, director of the WHO’s global HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) programs, noted that while the agency is coordinating medicine-sharing between countries, a more sustainable solution is needed.

“We have been seeking support from country to country for sharing, but this is a short-term approach,” she said