WHO ASSESSING IMPACT OF TRUMP’S DECISION OF US FUNDING WITHDRAWAL AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The World Health Organization head, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the decision of the United States as regrettable and said that WHO’s performance in combating this pandemic will be assessed in due course by the WHO Member States and the independent bodies set up to ensure transparency and accountability.
On 15th April, that is just after the day United States announced their plans for cutting the funding of U.N. health agency, pending a review of the agencies respond towards China against the initial outbreak of disease that first surfaced at the very end of December, the WHO (World Health Organisation) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus while addressing journalist said, “The United States of America has been a longstanding and generous friend to WHO, and we hope it will continue to be so”.
Tedros while speaking highlighted the importance of international solidarity and underlined the agency’s service’s commitment to serve the world’s population, as well as to account for the use of its resources.
He further stated that “In due course, WHO’s performance in tackling this pandemic will be reviewed by WHO’s the Member States and the independent bodies that are in place, to ensure transparency and accountability. This is part of the usual process put in place by our Member States”. However, WHO is still engaged in analyzing the impact of the withdrawal of funding by the US and also the impact it will further have in the operations of its working.
However, the conference also told that the agency has started its working with its partners to face the financial crises and also is trying to take all necessary steps to continue its operation in tackling this COVID- 19 pandemic which is a great ‘dangerous enemy’ to all humanity. Tedros, therefore, upheld WHO’s fundamental and founding principle towards the public at large and science, and its directive to work on equal terms with all nations.
In his terms, he stated, “COVID-19 does not discriminate between rich nations and poor, large nations and small. It does not discriminate between nationalities, ethnicities or ideologies. Neither do we. This is a time for all of us to be united in our common struggle against a common threat – a dangerous enemy”.[1]
After which he gave the updates on the fight against Coronavirus he also said that almost three vaccines have started clinical trials and some 70 others in progress.
After which in the last took the step in reminding people about the importance of staying home and reminded the world of the value of staying in touch with their family members.
Submitted by
Sakshi Raje
Student Reporter, INBA