WHO says still needs another $1 billion for next budget

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GENEVA — The World Health Organisation on Wednesday said it still needs one billion dollars to cover its 2026-27 budget as it scrambles to shore up its finances after the United States -- the agency’s top donor -- severed ties in January.

US President Donald Trump's decision to halt its funding to the Geneva-based body upon returning to office forced it to scale back its originally approved budget by 22 percent, from $5.3 billion to $4.2 billion, in May.

"This year has been one of the most difficult in WHO’s history, as we navigated a difficult but necessary process of prioritisation and realignment, resulting in a significant reduction in our workforce," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during a Member State briefing.

"We are now nearing the end of this process," he said, confirming the UN health agency had secured 75 percent of the funding needed for the two-year budget.

"That’s a better position than we have been in at this stage for any previous biennium."

However, he said the WHO still faced a $1 billion shortfall, adding the agency was in "a much worse environment for mobilising resources than we have been in before".

In May, member states approved a 20 percent increase in mandatory contributions. But the organisation still relies heavily on voluntary contributions from member states and other donors.

Faced with a decline in international aid, thousands of health facilities in humanitarian settings have had to cut services or suspend operations. As a result, the organisation has had to prioritise those most in need of assistance in the toughest places.

The WHO chief said the implementation of various cost-saving measures, including reductions in travel and early retirement, has helped save 2,900 jobs from being cut.