Donald Trump halts US funding of WHO.
In a press conference at the White House earlier today, he blamed the organisation for “severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of coronavirus.”
A tweet by the White House says “President @realDonaldTrump is halting funding of the World Health Organisatation while a review is conducted to assess WHO’s role in mismanaging the coronavirus outbreak.”
Trump said he has instructed his administration to conduct a review of WHO ‘s role in not preventing the pandemic. They will “now discuss what to do with all that money that goes to the WHO.
“The reality is that the WHO failed to adequately obtain, vet, and share information in a timely and transparent fashion.”
The US contribution to the world body last year was $400 million while WHO’s annual budget is $4.8 billion.
Slicing off US funding would significantly impact ongoing research for a reliable vaccine, advisory services to governments and distribution of testing kits and treatment gear.
According to the president, “with the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic, We have deep concerns whether America’s generosity has been put to good use.”
As Donald Trumps halts US funding of WHO, there has been severe backlash from within and outside the US. Many people blame him for not promptly taking advantage of the travel ban to put restrictions on movements.
He has also been blamed for not making a deliberate effort at ensuring mass diagnostic testing of the country’s residents or preparing the country for the inevitable surge in the spread of the coronavirus disease.
However, Americans are divided in their views of his initial management of the pandemic. There are those who see nothing wrong in any of the President’s actions.
Typical reactions across the US:
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