GENEVA, April 3: The World Health Organization (WHO) is facing a budget gap of $1.9 billion for 2026 and 2027, along with a $600 million deficit through 2025, according to media reports.
The $1.9 billion funding gap accounts for nearly 45 percent of its already reduced budget for the two-year period until 2027, Health Policy Watch, a non-profit independent global health news outlet, reported on Wednesday.
The report, citing WHO officials at a Tuesday meeting, said the United States owes WHO $260 million in dues for 2024 and 2025.
Raul Thomas, WHO’s assistant director general of business operations, revealed at the meeting that the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden never paid the US 2024 dues of $130 million owed before leaving office, reports Xinhua news agency, citing the Health Policy Watch report.
Speaking to WHO staff via Zoom at the meeting, Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus forecasted staff reductions. “Starting with senior leadership, but will reflect all levels and regions,” he was quoted as saying.
“Everything is on the table, including merging divisions, departments and units, and relocating functions,” Tedros added.
Following the US decision to withdraw from the WHO, the organization reduced its 2026-2027 budget from $5.3 billion to $4.2 billion.
WHO data showed that the US share of the organization’s regular budget for the 2024-2025 period was assessed at 22 percent, the highest among all members.
On January 20, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order shortly after his inauguration to withdraw the country from the WHO, which will only take effect after a one-year notice period.
