Member states raised serious concerns about the World Health Organization (WHO) funding crisis at the recent World Health Assembly. They warned that planned staff cuts of 9.4% by December 2025 could hinder the organization’s ability to respond to health emergencies effectively.
The WHO faces a significant budget cut, mostly due to the United States reducing its contributions, which has led to a 21% drop in the organization’s base budget. Currently, the emergency response segment is grappling with a $553 million funding gap. This troubling trend comes at a time when new health threats, like Ebola, could emerge.
The current financial challenges echo past mistakes made after the 2008 economic recession, when health services were deprioritized. A report from the Global Preparedness Monitoring Board warns that political changes could derail pandemic readiness, risking the progress made since COVID-19.
As of March 2026, WHO had to let go of 2,507 staff members, affecting critical roles necessary for effective health response. Experts have emphasized that the WHO’s workforce is its most valuable asset. The delegate from Botswana stressed the need to preserve technical expertise during this restructuring.
Mental health has also become a significant concern for remaining staff. Many have experienced stress from losing colleagues and the pressures of increased workloads. Assistant Director-General Raul Thomas pointed out that current expectations are unrealistic given the decreased workforce.
Despite these challenges, solutions seem distant. Countries need to increase contributions to ensure a stable financial footing. They must also focus on mandatory contributions, which are currently lagging at 70% of expected payments. This situation could jeopardize efforts in dealing with ongoing and future health crises.
In summary, without immediate action on funding and staff support, the WHO may struggle to tackle emerging health threats effectively. Addressing these issues is critical to ensuring global health stability and readiness.
