United States President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, halted funds to the World Health Organization (WHO), over its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Trump had suggested a similar announcement last week
Donald Trump, in a press conference last week had suggested that his government would make an announcement regarding WHO. On Tuesday, the country has decided to stop funding for the organization. The United States is the biggest overall donor to the WHO, contributing more than $400 million in 2019, roughly 15% of its budget.
Talking to a White House News Conference, Trump said:“The WHO failed in this basic duty and must be held accountable.”
Trump also added:
“Had the WHO done its job to get medical experts into China to objectively assess the situation on the ground and to call out China’s lack of transparency, the outbreak could have been contained with very little death.”
WHO’s advertising of China’s disinformation about the virus could have had a big impact on the outbreak of the virus, as per Trump. Across the world, more than 2 million people have been affected by the virus, including causing around 1.2 Lakh deaths.
United Nations Responds
Following the statement by the US President, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the time is not right for the US to stop its funding for the Geneva-based organization.
He said: “Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also reacted to the situation, telling although he sympathizes with Trump’s situation, it may not be fair to stop funding to the WHO now.
