AfriPulse
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has come out with a strong response against a string of accusations by the United States following Washington’s decision to withdraw from the UN health agency.
In a detailed statement on Sunday, WHO expressed regret after U.S. finalised its withdrawal, warning that the move would make the United States and the world “less safe”.
“The notification of withdrawal raises issues that will be considered by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting starting on 2 February and by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026,” a statement from WHO read.
Kenya is among the casualties from the U.S’s decision, since Donald Trump’s funding cut to WHO meant the Kenyan government had to seek alternatives.
World Health Organisation Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday, May 22, 2025.
Photo
Aden Duale
In WHO’s message on Sunday, the organisation responded to U.S.’s accusations of tarnishing the country’s name, as the agency insisted that engagements were always done “in good faith” .
On the criticism over the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO admitted that while the agency did not get everything right, it acted quickly, transparently and on the basis of the best available scientific evidence.
The statement went on, “Throughout the pandemic, WHO acted quickly, shared all information it had rapidly and transparently with the world, and advised Member States on the basis of the best available evidence. WHO recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing, but at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns. We supported sovereign governments to make decisions they believed were in the best interests of their people, but the decisions were theirs.”
WHO also countered claims that it imposed promoted government mandates during the pandemic, stating that lockdowns were not the agency’s recommendations
Despite the firm rebuttal, the agency ended the statement on a conciliatory note, acknowledging the United States’ efforts to achieve major global health achievements.
On Wednesday, Trump signed more executive orders, withdrawing from more agencies, including the UN Human Settlements Programme, commonly referred to as UN-Habitat, whose headquarters are located in Nairobi.
The UN-Habitat primarily supports urban planning, affordable housing, and sustainable urban development. It supports governments in developing national and local urban policies, legislation, and regulatory frameworks.
The United States also pulled out of the UN Women agency, a key global body that supports programmes combating gender-targeted mistreatment and advancing women’s rights in countries such as Kenya.
Last year, after the U.S cut funding towards WHO, the government expressed openness to new partnerships with other countries that will act as donors in the critical health sector.
Notably, the U.S was the biggest funder of WHO, accounting for up to 20 per cent of the global body’s annual funding.
An undated image of United Nation’s Headquarters in New York, US.
Photo
UN
Source: Kenyans.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
