The World Health Organization (WHO) says America’s notification of withdrawal is a ‘decision that makes both the United States and the world less safe’.
The United Nations (UN) Agency noted that as a founding member, the U.S. contributed significantly to many achievements, including the eradication of public health threats.
The WHO recognised America’s help in the fight against smallpox, polio, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, Ebola, influenza, neglected tropical diseases, and antimicrobial resistance, among others.
In a statement over the weekend, the WHO faulted the U.S. government’s ‘compromise’ comment, saying it engaged with America in good faith, with full respect for its sovereignty.
The U.S. listed ‘WHO failures during the COVID-19 pandemic’ as well as obstruction of timely and accurate sharing of critical information among the reasons for withdrawal.
The UN body said it might not have got everything right, but stood by its response to COVID-19, including publicising all information it had ‘rapidly and transparently’.
‘WHO recommended the use of masks, vaccines and physical distancing’, the statement reads. ‘But at no stage recommended mask mandates, vaccine mandates or lockdowns’.
The organisation said after the pneumonia-type cases in Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019, it activated its emergency systems and alerted the world after the first reported death on 11 January 2020.
The WHO denied pursuing a ‘politicized bureaucratic agenda driven by nations hostile to American interests’, stressing that it remains impartial and exists to serve all countries without fear or favour.
Reiterating its commitment to its core mission and constitutional mandate, the WHO hopes the United States ‘will return to active participation in the future’.
The U.S. notification and issues raised would be considered by the WHO Executive Board at its regular meeting in February and by the World Health Assembly at its annual meeting in May 2026.
The 22 January withdrawal statement by Secretary Marco Rubio and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused the WHO of abandoning its core mission and ‘repeatedly’ acting against the U.S. interests.
The officials added that going forward, the engagement with the UN agency will be limited to effectuate the U.S. withdrawal and to safeguard the health and safety of the American people.
