The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that global health is under threat as the agency grapples with a deepening funding crisis.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says donor support has declined sharply, triggering what he described as “the greatest disruption to global health financing in memory”. The situation worsened after the United States—previously the WHO’s largest donor—pulled out in January, accusing the agency of mismanaging the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In response, the WHO plans to cut its 2026–2027 budget by 21 percent, from $5.3 billion to $4.2 billion and may shut down some offices, particularly in wealthier countries. Internal documents also reveal that around 25 percent of the agency’s salary budget remains unfunded over the next two years.
Tedros warned that the cuts will impact healthcare systems globally, especially in the most vulnerable countries. He urged the international community to diversify funding sources and act swiftly to avoid the collapse of vital health services and emergency response mechanisms.
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