WHO Director Announces Scale Down of Leadership Due to US Funding Drought
Leader dignitary from WHO decreases cabinet following insufficient financing from the United States. - Leadership staff reduction at WHO declared due to insufficient U.S. financial support.
Get ready for some changes! As announced, a new WHO team will take over starting June 16. Key players, Mike Ryan, Irish emergency director of the WHO, and Bruce Aylward, who steered the WHO's coronavirus pandemic response, are calling it quits. Yet, five existing members will continue leading the organization.
The heads up came from WHO Director, Tedros. Last month, Tedros predicted a downsizing due to the loss of US funding. Now, the organization is gearing up for the full US withdrawal planned by Donald Trump in January '23.
Unfortunately, the US has failed to pay its 2024 dues, and it's not looking hopeful for this year's contribution, either. Tedros revealed in April that the WHO faces a financial shortage of around $560-$650 million (approx. €499-€579 million) over the '26-'27 biennium.
Tedros didn't disclose the exact number of layoffs. He did mention, however, that the biggest blow would strike the Geneva headquarters and that cuts would initially target the leadership tier.
However, exact details on the number of positions that will be eliminated from the WHO leadership team remain elusive. But one thing's certain—the US funding shortfall will hit the organization hard. Stay tuned for more updates!
- WHO
- Leadership Rework
- Director
- Tedros Adhanom
- World Health Organization
- Budget Crunch
- AFP
- Mike Ryan
- Bruce Aylward
- Coronavirus Pandemic
Who-chief Tedros Adhanom of the World Health Organization announced a rework in the leadership due to a budget crunch caused by missing US funds. As a result, key members like Mike Ryan and Bruce Aylward are stepping down, and the organization is expected to undergo downsizing, primarily affecting the leadership teams. The general news outlet AFP reported that health and wellness, policy and legislation, science, medical-conditions, and politics will be impacted by this shift.
